Co-Ownership

Abandoned Property Partition Action: What to Do When a Co-Owner Walks Away

A co-owner who abandons a property in California does not lose their ownership rights, but their absence often creates financial strain that can be resolved through a partition action.  When one co-owner stops contributing, the remaining co-owner is often left covering the mortgage and upkeep alone. This situation is common among unmarried couples, family members, … Read More

What If the Co-Owner of My House is in Prison?

Owning a house with someone is hard enough when you can talk, negotiate, and sign paperwork together. But when the co-owner is incarcerated, normal solutions often grind to a halt—refinancing stalls, sale decisions get vetoed, and even basic issues like repairs and improvements or rental management turn into disputes. In California, incarceration does not erase … Read More

What to Do If a Majority Owner Refuses a Partition Action

When the majority owner refuses a partition action, you don’t have to stay trapped—California law is on your side. When co-owners of real estate don’t see eye to eye, disputes are inevitable—especially when one party wants to sell, but the majority owner(s) disagrees. Fortunately, California law provides a clear legal path forward for minority owners … Read More

Is Waiver a Defense Under the Partition of Real Property Act?

The enactment of the Partition of Real Property Act has introduced an interesting legal question regarding whether a waiver of partition may be implied when tenants in common are subject to the Act. This issue is particularly relevant given that partition rights are generally considered absolute unless expressly waived by an enforceable agreement. The Partition … Read More

How Are Proceeds Divided After a Partition Sale?

When co-owners of real estate can no longer agree on how to manage, use, or sell a property, a partition action becomes the legal solution to resolve the dispute. One of the most common outcomes of a partition action is a partition by sale, where the property is sold, and the proceeds are divided among … Read More

Forcing the Sale after the Death of a Co-Owner Without Probate

Californians with a deceased co-owner can force the sale of the property without going through probate by filing a partition action. In California, the court can proceed with the partition by joining the deceased co-owner’s representative or successor, or simply their estate if their is no representative. This ensures that the property can be sold … Read More

Overestimation of Contribution Bias in Co-ownership

Co-owning property with someone else can feel like a partnership—until it’s time to divide what’s yours. Disputes often arise because people tend to believe they contributed more than their fair share. This isn’t always intentional. It’s often due to something called overestimation of contribution bias, a common psychological tendency where people remember their own efforts … Read More

Selling Inherited Co-Owned Property to Move Out of California

For those who inherit co-owned homes in California, the decision to keep or sell the property is increasingly influenced by the financial benefits of relocating to less expensive areas. In the past few years, Californians have been relocating to states where their money stretches further, thereby improving the quality of life. This article delves into … Read More

The Levels of Aggression in Co-ownership Disputes

Levels of Assertiveness in Ending Co-ownership Disputes

Co-owners are often unsure how assertive they need to be to force the sale or buyout of their jointly owned property. Usually, the lack of cooperation of the other co-owners and the monetary amount involved will dictate how assertive a co-owner will need to be to end the co-ownership dispute. As California’s premier law firm … Read More

Who is Responsible for Injuries on Jointly Owned Property

Who is Responsible for Injuries on Jointly Owned Property?

Understanding the responsibilities of co-owners can help you protect yourself in cases where negligent ownership causes injuries to your real property. The general legal principle is that co-owners are liable for injuries on jointly owned property regardless of whether the injury is a result of willful actions or lack of ordinary care when managing the … Read More

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