Yes. When co-owners of property decide they want to go their separate ways but cannot come to an agreement on a buyout or reimbursements, they can institute a partition action and have the court system solve the problem for them. The presence of a life estate, however, substantially complicates this…
Articles Posted in joint tenancy
What is a Claim for Waste in California? (Civ. Code § 818)
A “waste” claim is a means of recovering damages when a tenant on real property does substantial damage to the property itself. Most often, a waste claim arises when a person renting property causes damage while living there. But a waste claim isn’t restricted to landlords and tenants. It applies…
What is a “rightful” dissociation from a Partnership? (Corp. Code 16601)
General partnerships, and their “joint venture” cousins, are composed of partners seeking to make a profit in a business venture. But things don’t always work out. Often, a once promising endeavor breaks down due to mismanagement and miscommunication. In these situations, partners may feel the urge to get out with…
Can an ousted cotenant recover possession of the property? (Civ. Code § 843)
Yes. Co-owners of property are entitled to certain rights, namely, the right to possess and use the property as they see fit. But sometimes, things do not work out with the other owners. Heirs to an estate can bicker, business relationships can fall through, and family dynamics can fall apart.…
How do you sever a joint tenancy in California? (Code of Civil Procedure section 683.2)
Joint tenancy is a special type of co-ownership recognized in California. It is commonly associated with married couples, ensuring that when one of them dies, their entire interest in the property passes to the other spouse. This is called the right of survivorship, and it is the defining trait of…
Does RUPA apply to joint ventures? (Corp. Code § 16101)
Yes. While joint ventures are a distinct type of business entity, they share many similarities with general partnerships in California. In fact, “the resemblance between a partnership and joint venture is so close that the rights as between adventurers are governed by practically the same rules that govern partners.” (Milton…
What is the difference Between Tenants in Common and Joint Tenants? (Code of Civil Procedure section 683)
In California, most real estate is held either as marital property, as a tenancy in partnership, as joint tenants, or as tenants-in-common. While holding titles as spouses or in a partnership is relatively straightforward, questions frequently arise as to the differences between “co-tenants” and “tenants-in-common.” This article will explore the…