Articles Posted in partition

What is a “Partition In Kind”?
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Partition is the legal procedure used to divide property among co-owners, often used when co-owners disagree about the property’s sale or division. In California, partition can be achieved through multiple methods: (1) Partition In Kind; (2) Partition by Sale; and (3) Partition by Appraisal. This article only explores Partition In Kind’s specific purpose and procedure…

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Who Pays for a Partition Action?
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

A partition action is the legal process of co-owners dividing a piece of real property. There are various reasons why a partition may be necessary, and different types of partitions exist to ensure the proper remedy is available when these circumstances arise. Co-owners involved in partition actions commonly ask who is responsible for the costs…

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Can a trustee file a partition action? (Prob. Code § 16226.) 
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

A trust set up for property gives beneficiaries a right to the property once the settlor has passed away. This means beneficiaries may become co-owners. However, the trustee may also hold an interest in the property as well. If the trustee is a co-owner of the property, they can file a partition suit. This is…

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Can a Co-Owner Recover Value of Time or Services in a Partition Action?
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

The purpose of this article is to explain whether a property owner can recover value of time or services in a partition action. Understanding whether an owner can recover the value of time or services is important because it directly affects the compensation they are entitled to recover in a partition action. What is a…

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Is It Possible to Bring a Partition Action in Federal Court?
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

The purpose of this article is to explain how a partition action could be brought in federal court. While it is possible to bring a partition action in a federal court, because of how state-specific partition statutes are, partition matters are usually handled in state courts. Generally, partition actions are governed by state statutes. Also,…

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Partitions of Spousal Property with Third Parties (Fam. Code § 2021)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Family Code section 2021 provides that a court “may order that a person who claims an interest in the proceeding be joined as a party” to nullity, dissolution, and legal separation proceedings. (Fam.C. § 2021(a).) An interested third party may wish to join a family law proceeding, or an existing party may want to join…

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Law.com recognizes Underwood Law Firm as Leading Partition Firm
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Underwood Law Firm is a finalist for the California Legal Awards’ Vanguard Award. Featured on Law.com Underwood Law Firm is a finalist for the California Legal Awards’ Vanguard Award, honoring firms and companies that have revolutionized their business to stay one step ahead of the current and future forces shaping the legal industry. The firm…

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The Complete Guide to the Partition of Real Property Act (Part 5)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

What if parties do not appear in a lawsuit requesting partition in kind under the Partition of Real Property Act? Just as there are special provisions for defaulting parties with partitions by sale, so too are there unique rules where some defendants fail to appear in a partition in kind action. The text of the…

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The Complete Guide to the Partition of Real Property Act (Part 4)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

This is a continuation of our ongoing series on the Complete Guide to the Partition of Real Property Act. For complete comprehension, we would suggest starting from the beginning. As a quick summary, the Partition of Real Property Act is a law specific to California, passed in July 2022. (Stats 2022 Ch. 82 § 3…

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How Does a Lender Respond to a Partition Action (Civ. Code § 2924l) [With Form]
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

A declaration of non-monetary status is a special type of court filing reserved for trustees under a deed of trust. These trustees have limited powers, but are often named as defendants in lawsuits by plaintiffs seeking to ensure proper joinder. Of course, being named in a complaint carries with it several responsibilities, chief among these…

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