Articles Posted in legal action

Can a Co-Owner Take Out a Mortgage Without Your Consent?
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Yes. 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…

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How Does the Process of a Partition Sale Differ From a Divorce Sale?
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Partitions 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…

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What Does It Mean When a Property Is Sold “As-is?” 
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

There 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…

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What can you do when a co-owner refuses to pay taxes (CCP § 872.140)? 
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

In 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…

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What is a Trust (Boshernitsan v. Bach (2021 61 Cal.App.5th 883)?
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

“A trust is any arrangement which exists whereby property is transferred with an intention that it be held and administered by the transferee for the benefit of another.” (Higgins v. Higgins (2017) 11 Cal.App.5th 648, 662.) Essentially, a trust is a legal relationship that allows a person to hold property for the benefit of another…

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Can One Owner Force a Sale of a House? 
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Generally, a co-owner of real property may commence an action in a partition. Owners of an estate of inheritance, a life estate, or an estate for years who hold such interest concurrently or in successive estates may seek to partition the property. (CCP § 872.201(a)(2).) Those with concurrent interest in the property may partition the…

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What Are the Rules for Buying Probate Property (Prob. Code § 10580)?
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

When a person passes away and leaves behind the property, their property must first pass through the probate process before being passed down to family members and loved ones. Essentially, the probate process is a legal process that determines the execution of the estate of someone who has passed away. Moreover, during the probate process,…

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What is a Petition to Determine Distribution Rights (Prob. Code § 11705)? 
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

For family members of a deceased loved one, the most important part of probate proceedings is the final distribution of the estate. This occurs once the estate’s debts and obligations have been satisfied, and it serves to more or less end the probate of the estate. But what if someone thinks they’re entitled to a…

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#SCANDOVAL: Vanderpump Rules’ Star Tom Sandoval Refusing to Leave Home the Couple Shared… What Now? 
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Following the explosive split between the two stars in the hit reality show, “Vanderpump Rules,” many are left wondering what will become of the couple’s $2.2 million dollar home. Prior to their split, Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval bought a farmhouse-style home in 2019 and took their time to renovate the Property into their dream…

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What is a “legal description” of real estate (Civil Code section 1092)? 
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

A property’s legal description is an essential element of any property transfer, and it serves as the basis for most property-based lawsuits. Quiet title summons, partition complaints, and lis pendens notices must all contain legal descriptions, just to name a few. Funnily enough, however, despite the legal description importance, there is no standard form in…

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