6162023-300x300The California Code of Civil Procedure plays a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape of civil actions. The California Partition Law starts at section 872.010 and ends at section 874.323. Among the partition provisions, section 872.030 highlights the importance of consistency in the application of laws in partition actions. Section 872.030 applies the general rules of civil actions to partition actions unless they are inconsistent with the partition statute. If the Partition Law differs from the general sections of the Code of Civil Procedure, the Partition Law trumps the other section because partition actions are tailored to the unique nature of partition disputes and often have specialized requirements. 

Code of Civil Procedure section 872.030 states: 

The statutes and rules governing practice in civil actions generally apply to actions under this title except where they are inconsistent with the provisions of this title. 

6142023-300x300Yes. California law allows a co-owner to take out a mortgage without the other co-owners consent or knowledge. 

Co-owning property with other parties can be quite a responsibility that can be difficult to manage. One particularly stressful aspect of managing property is managing the debt that comes with financing the property. Some parties may even want to take out more debt without letting their fellow co-owners know. If such a debt or encumbrance on the property is taken, it is still enforceable and allowable and can result in the sale of the entire property. 

California Law on Co-Owner Mortgages Without Consent

672023-300x300Partitions sales and divorce sales are two different ways that a property can be sold.  One difference between the two is that in a partition sale, the court usually decides the proportion of ownership and how the proceeds are distributed among the owners, while in a divorce sale, the court generally must divide the property equally. Another difference is that the divorce sale process is similar to a normal real estate sale. Both sales can be determined informally among the parties or ordered by a court.   

The Partitions Sale Process

Usually, partition sales are ordered by a court. This is because partition lawsuits are often brought before courts by a property owner who wants to force a sale if the parties cannot come to an agreement. Read more about partition actions generally here

692023-300x300California Code of Civil Procedure section 872.020 is under Title 10.5 Partition of Real and Personal Property. This statute details the scope, or in other words, the actions of partition that the title controls. The statute aims to clarify the property to which Partition Law actions may apply. 

Code of Civil Procedure section 872.020 states 

This title governs actions for partition of real property and, except to the extent not applicable, actions for partition of personal property. 

662023-1-300x300The Underwood Law Firm, which is a boutique partition firm, has offices in Sacramento, Oakland, and Newport Beach 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 1, 2023) — Eli Underwood, one of California’s leading experts in partition actions, has been named to the California Lawyers Association’s Real Property Law Section Executive Committee to begin on September 24, 2023. 

Mr. Underwood’s practice focuses on partition actions, which is a legal option available for people who own real estate jointly with others and want a clean break. Essentially, it allows one party to fairly solve joint co-ownership problems through the legal system. He is the founder of Underwood Law Firm, a boutique law firm with a proven success and multiple offices throughout the State of California. 

622023-300x300Partitions sales and trustee sales are two different ways that a property can be sold. A main difference between the two is that a partition sale is ordered and overseen by the court, while a trustee sale is overseen by a third party in relation to foreclosure proceedings. While the third party is not beholden to a court ruling in a trustee sale, they must still follow the procedures outlined in California law. 

The Partitions Sale Process

Usually, partition sales are ordered by a court. This is because partition lawsuits are often brought before courts by a property owner who wants to force a sale if the parties cannot come to an agreement. Read more about partition actions generally here

5312023-300x300The California Partition Law begins in Code of Civil Procedure section 872.010 with definitions. These definitions apply throughout the entirety of the Partition Law, which ends only in Code of Civil Procedure section 874.323. The point of this statute is to provide uniformity throughout the Partition Law and reduce any uncertainty about the meaning of any terms so that the law may be applied without any debt. 

Code of Civil Procedure section 872.010 states 

As used in this title: 

5262023-300x300There are several provisions in real property sale agreements that can affect a party’s legal rights. One such provision is an “as-is” provision, which is often included in contracts for the sale of real property. It is important for parties to keep on the lookout for such provisions so that they are aware of their legal rights in any possible litigation. 

What Does an “As-is” Provision Mean for Buyers? 

Generally, when a property is sold “as-is,” the seller is not liable for defects in the property unless the seller is fraudulently concealing or misrepresenting the property’s condition. (Shapiro v. Hu, 188 Cal.App.3d 324, 334.) When purchasing the property “as-is”, the buyer accepts the condition of the property to the extent that he or she can visibly observe. The buyer cannot later sue the seller for a defect that the buyer observed. 

5242023-300x300There are two common ways an individual can own property: (1) as a tenant in common or (2) as a joint tenant. In California, there is a presumption that the co-owners of a piece of property are tenants in common unless the deed expressly states that the co-owners are joint tenants. 

In a joint tenancy, there is a right of survivorship, meaning that when one joint tenant dies, the surviving joint tenant inherits the other joint tenant’s interest in the property. There is no right of survivorship in a tenancy in common. In certain circumstances, different rules or laws apply when a property is held in a joint tenancy versus a tenancy in common. For example, there are certain laws for property taxes that apply for a tenancy in common that is different from a joint tenancy. 

At the Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are more than familiar with property taxes and the requirements that follow. This area of law can be complex and entangled in technicalities. Our attorneys are here to walk you through the law step-by-step so that you are not lost in the maze of rules and regulations and to get the best possible results from transferring your property ownership. 

5192023-300x300In every property co-owned by two or more persons, there are common costs. Common costs are those costs for the property that are common to all owners or for the common benefit of all owners. In California, cotenants are required to pay for their portion of the common costs. Therefore, cotenants must pay for their share of expenses to operate and maintain the property. The portion of common costs one must pay depends on the ownership interest of that cotenant. 

At the Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are more than familiar with co-ownership and the requirements that follow. 

What are Common Expenses?

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