Ventura County Real Estate Partition Lawyer
Talkov Law’s attorneys serving Ventura County are exceptionally experienced in California partition actions and have conducted over 470 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 awarding each co-owner a certain percentage of the property’s value. The court will then order the property to be divided according to the co-owners’ wishes. The partition statutes also provide that if the court finds that a physical division of the property is not possible, it may order the property to be sold and the proceeds divided among the co-owners.
Our team of partition attorneys can assist co-owners with frequently asked questions about partitions, such as:
- 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 recoverable in a partition action? “In a suit for partition it is a general rule that all equities and conflicting claims existing between the parties and arising out of their relation to the property to be partitioned may be adjusted.” Demetris v. Demetris (1954) 125 Cal. App. 2d 440. This means that co-owners can assert offsets or recover payments of the mortgage, taxes, insurance, repairs and improvements in excess of their fractional interests.
- What are the different types of partition in California? Almost all partition actions are partition by sale, though partition in-kind allows the property to be divided, while a partition by appraisal allows the purchase by one-co-owner at an appraised value.
- Can a partition action be stopped? 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.
- How long will it take to get the property partitioned and sold? Most commonly, 3 to 6 months is all that it takes for the defendant to agree to a sale or buyout the plaintiff’s interest in the property for a fair value. Some cases may take 6 to 12 months.
Ventura County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located along the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area. The county seat is the city of Ventura. Ventura County is home to numerous cities, including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and Santa Paula. It is also home to the Channel Islands National Park, which includes five of the eight Channel Islands. The county is known for its agricultural production, including strawberries, lemons, and avocados. It is also home to several military bases, including Naval Base Ventura County and Point Mugu.
Speak to Our Ventura County Partition Attorneys Today
Call our Ventura County Partition Attorneys today to end your co-ownership dispute. You don’t pay until the house is sold!
Call us at (805) 880-8800 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation
Balkins v. Los Angeles County – Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Balkins v. Los Angeles County, 81 Cal.App.2d 42 (1947), the issue of partition was at the center of the dispute. The plaintiff, Balkins, owned a parcel of land in Los Angeles County that was divided into two parts by a road. The defendant, Los Angeles County, had taken possession of one of the parts of the land for the purpose of constructing a road. The plaintiff argued that the defendant had no right to take possession of the land without first obtaining a court order for partition. The court held that the defendant had no right to take possession of the land without first obtaining a court order for partition, and that the plaintiff was entitled to a partition of the land. The court also held that the defendant was liable for damages for the taking of the land without a court order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Partitions in Ventura County
How Much Does a Partition Action Cost in Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura County, California
Our Ventura 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 (805) 880-8800 or contact us online today.
