Santa Clara County Partition Attorney

Q: How Much Does a Partition Action Cost in Santa Clara County?

The costs of a partition action —including attorney fees, court fees, appraiser fees, and other legal expenses—are typically around $20,000 . While some cases may incur fees as low as $5,000 or exceed $20,000 , depending on their complexity, these expenses are generally shared among the co-owners. The court may also adjust the distribution of these costs based on each party’s level of involvement or responsibility, ensuring a fairer allocation when needed.

Q: Who Can File a Partition Action in Santa Clara County?

A partition action can be filed by any co-owner of a property , excluding married couples who own it as community property. A majority ownership is not required to initiate a partition action. Common situations for partition actions include disputes among siblings inheriting property, former romantic partners, friends or family members who purchased property together, and divorced couples.

Talkov Law’s attorneys serving Santa Clara County are exceptionally experienced in California partition actions and have conducted over 400 partitions for our satisfied clients. California partition actions provide a legal mechanism for co-owners of real property to divide the property among themselves. The partition statutes allow a co-owner to file a lawsuit in court to have the property divided, either physically or by sale. The court will then order the division of the property in a way that is fair and equitable to all parties. The partition statutes also provide that any proceeds from the sale of the property must be divided among the co-owners in proportion to their respective interests in the property.

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Our team of partition attorneys can assist co-owners with frequently asked questions about partitions, such as:

Can a minority owner force the sale of a property? There is no requirement for a majority vote for partition. Rather, an co-owner of any interest in property can force the sale.
In a partition action, can I be reimbursed for paying more than my fair share of the down payment? Yes, partition actions allow for offsets whereby one co-owner claims excess payments for mortgage, taxes, insurance, improvements, repairs and other property expenses
How to force the sale of jointly owned property? A partition action is the only statutory method to ensure the end of the co-ownership dispute.
What is a partition action and when is it necessary?
Can a partition action be stopped or dismissed in California? The truth is that there are very few affirmative defenses in a partition action, and those defenses are rarely applied by courts in California.

Santa Clara County is a county located in the U.S. state of California. It is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area, and is one of the most populous counties in the state. The county seat is San Jose, the tenth-most populous city in the United States. Santa Clara County is home to Silicon Valley, the center of the world’s technology industry. It is also home to Stanford University, one of the world’s most prestigious universities. The county is also home to several national parks, including Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Henry W. Coe State Park, and Mount Umunhum. Santa Clara County is known for its diverse population, with a mix of cultures, languages, and religions. It is also known for its excellent public schools, and its vibrant economy.

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Call our Santa Clara County Partition Attorneys today to end your co-ownership dispute. You don’t pay until the house is sold!

Call us at (408) 777-6800 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation

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Akhbari v. Nateghi – Partition Action Case Study

In the legal case of Akhbari v. Nateghi, Not Reported in Cal.Rptr.2d (2002), the issue of partition was at the center of the dispute. The plaintiff, Akhbari, owned a one-half interest in a piece of real property with the defendant, Nateghi. Akhbari sought to partition the property, while Nateghi argued that the property was held in joint tenancy and could not be partitioned. The court ultimately held that the property was held in joint tenancy and could not be partitioned. The court reasoned that the parties had not taken any action to sever the joint tenancy, and that the joint tenancy was still in effect. The court also noted that the parties had not taken any action to convert the joint tenancy into a tenancy in common, which would have allowed for partition. As a result, the court held that the property could not be partitioned.

Frequently Asked Questions About Partitions in Santa Clara County

How Long Does a Partition Action Take in Santa Clara County?

Most Santa Clara County partition actions are typically resolved in approximately 7 months, as most cases conclude with either a buyout or an agreed sale. However, the duration can vary, taking more or less time depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of the parties to reach an agreement.

How Much Does a Partition Action Cost in Santa Clara County?

The costs of a partition action—including attorney fees, court fees, appraiser fees, and other legal expenses—are typically around $20,000. While some cases may incur fees as low as $5,000 or exceed $20,000, depending on their complexity, these expenses are generally shared among the co-owners. The court may also adjust the distribution of these costs based on each party’s level of involvement or responsibility, ensuring a fairer allocation when needed.

Who Can File a Partition Action in Santa Clara County?

A partition action can be filed by any co-owner of a property, excluding married couples who own it as community property. A majority ownership is not required to initiate a partition action. Common situations for partition actions include disputes among siblings inheriting property, former romantic partners, friends or family members who purchased property together, and divorced couples.

Who Pays for a Partition Action?

In Santa Clara County, each party typically pays for their own attorney’s fees (known as the “American Rule”). However, California partition law allows for an exception to this rule, stating that “the court shall apportion the costs of partition among the parties in proportion to their interests or make such other apportionment as may be equitable.” California Code of Civil Procedure 874.040. Indeed, the court may award “reasonable attorney’s fees incurred or paid by a party for the common benefit.” California Code of Civil Procedure 874.010(a).

Can a Partition Action Be Stopped in Santa Clara County?

Generally, a partition action cannot be stopped, but a defendant may be able to buy time to seek a resolution. Eventually, however, the plaintiff can generally force the sale of the property based on the absolute right to partition.

Contact our Team of Experienced Partition Lawyers Serving Santa Clara County, California

Our Santa Clara County partition litigation attorneys will work diligently to obtain a favorable outcome on your behalf, whether by negotiation or litigation. Talkov Law Partition Attorneys unlocks access to justice for co-owners by funding your case. For qualified cases, you pay no fees until we successfully partition your property by obtaining a sale on the market or to your co-owner! For a free consultation with California’s first and largest team of partition attorneys at Talkov Law, call (408) 777-6800 or contact us online today.

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