In California, the timeline of a partition lawsuit can range from several months to over a year. The duration is influenced by factors such as the number of parties involved, the nature of the property, and whether the case is contested.
The duration of a partition action can vary significantly based on the complexity of the case, the willingness of the co-owners to reach a settlement, and the court's schedule. Generally, the process can take several months to over a year.
Three co-owners had an investment property in San Francisco. One filed for a partition and at trial the judge granted her the right to privately sell the property. The motion was appealed by two other co-owners, (owners' interest was not evaluated to be determined in the future).
The actual time it takes from when a partition case is filed to when the land is partitioned physically, by sale, or by set-off varies from case to case. In general, partition cases can take several months or even years to resolve.
How Long Does a Partition Action Take? While most lawsuits in California are supposed to take two years or more, there are a number of steps that an experienced partition lawyer can take to ensure that a partition action takes in less time.
In a recent landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India held that in a suit for partition of joint property, every interested party is deemed a plaintiff. This means that each co-sharer has the right to initiate and pursue a partition suit, and no one co-sharer can prevent another from doing so.
Here is an overview on how a partition action will play out in court. The party who wishes to initiate the action (the “Plaintiff”) must file a verified complaint for partition. The court will first determine the ownership interests of each of the co-owners.
Previously, the partition law in California permitted any co-owner of a property to force a sale, often to the detriment of other owners. The new amendments, however, introduce a right of first refusal.
If negotiation or mediation fails to resolve the dispute, the next step is to prepare and file a partition complaint. You have to file the Complaint in the Superior Court of California for the County where the Property is located. This is the only court with the power to hear the case.