California Partition Law Blog

By Eli Underwood Domestic arrangements are shifting as marriage rates stagnate, but the financial leap into homeownership is not slowing down. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2025 report, 13% of homebuyers in the 25-34 age demographic are now unmarried couples—a "tipping point" that reveals a massive cohort of buyers entering the...

There’s a lot changing in Southern California real estate right now, and it’s not just a topic for headlines. If you own a home here—especially if you share ownership with someone else—you’ve probably felt the pinch or at least heard friends talking about it. Home values, which seemed only to climb for years, have...

When property disputes come up—especially between co-owners—most people think, “I just need a lawyer to sort this out.” That reaction makes sense. When things feel tense or overwhelming, the goal is usually to hand the problem to a professional and move on. But here’s the part many people don’t realize at first: not all...

Governor Gavin Newsom and President Trump rarely agree on anything. Yet both are suddenly pointing fingers at institutional investors as the villains in California's housing crisis. Here's what they're missing: for thousands of property owners across the state, the real crisis isn't corporate landlords - it's being stuck in a co-ownership nightmare with no...

The housing market has taken some unexpected turns lately. Home values don't just rise and fall based on supply and demand anymore - they're being reshaped by forces most people don't see coming. Equity swings, an aging population divorcing at record rates, and obscure property laws are all colliding in ways that affect both...

Imagine Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house in Pasadena. The smell of roast chicken fills the air, laughter bounces off the walls, and no one is thinking about deeds or title reports. The house is simply “the family home.” Years later, when Grandma has passed and the property is now shared by siblings and cousins,...

When co-owners of real estate can't agree on what to do with their property, filing a partition lawsuit often becomes necessary. Many people hesitate, hoping the situation will resolve itself or that avoiding legal action will preserve relationships. Unfortunately, our experience handling hundreds of partition cases across California has shown that delay rarely improves...

Designating a beneficiary is not a mandatory step of setting up a bank account for everyone. Still, when required, designating a beneficiary is a critical step to ensure the account’s funds are directly transferred to the account holder’s intended recipient upon the account holder’s death. Understanding when a beneficiary designation is required helps avoid...

Cohabitation is a common amongst couples who want to build a life together without getting married. But, because California law does not recognize common law marriages, cohabitation may unexpectedly affect each partner’s property rights. When an unmarried couple establishes a shared household, they often begin sharing finances or purchasing a home together. These seemingly...

By Elijah Underwood For the 18% of first-time homebuyers who are currently unmarried, the traditional sequence of "marriage then mortgage" has effectively flipped. Property acquisition is no longer a post-wedding milestone; it has become a prerequisite for financial stability. Driven by a decade of persistent rental inflation and a lack of entry-level inventory, pooling...