Inheritance and Real Estate Archives

Spouse Won’t Sell an Inherited House in California

When a spouse inherits a fractional interest in a house from their family, disagreements can arise within the marriage about what should happen to the co-owned property. One spouse may want to sell the inherited home and use the money to move or invest elsewhere, while the spouse who inherited the property may want to … Read More

Sibling Rivalries and Co-Ownership Partition Actions: When Family Heirlooms Become Legal Disputes

When siblings inherit a house together, the property is often more than a set of walls and a roof. It is the last place everyone remembers Mom cooking holidays, the hallway where Dad used to stand telling stories, and the backyard where the older brother taught the younger brother how to throw a ball. But … Read More

Right of Survivorship in California: How It Affects Co-Ownership and Partition Actions

The right of survivorship determines whether property skips probate—or sparks a legal dispute. In California, this powerful legal principle allows a surviving co-owner to automatically inherit the deceased owner’s share of real estate—but only if title is held in a very specific way. When survivorship rights are not clearly stated in the deed, the property … Read More

Selling Inherited Property: Do All Heirs Have to Agree?

Can you sell inherited property if the other heirs say no? Yes—you can. That answer surprises many California heirs. When multiple heirs inherit real estate in California, it’s not uncommon for disagreements to arise—especially when one heir wants to sell the property but others do not. Many co-owners assume that all heirs must unanimously agree … Read More

Why Oral Life Estates Are Not Legally Recognized in California

California law is clear: a life estate must be in writing to be legally enforceable. In California, real estate transactions conveying ownership interests must follow strict legal requirements, particularly when it comes to life estates. Some property owners mistakenly believe that someone can transfer a life estate through a verbal agreement, but this is not … Read More

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