The Consent Requirement for Selling Property With Texas being a community property state, both spouses' signatures are more than just a formality; they're a legal necessity. Attempting to sell property without consent can have serious legal implications.
In short, to force the sale of jointly owned property, you must first confirm title, then attempt a voluntary sale or buyout, file and serve a partition lawsuit, get an appraisal, sell the property, and finally divide the sale proceeds fairly.
If one owner wants to sell a jointly owned property but the other owner(s) refuse, the party seeking to sell can file a partition action. This legal procedure allows a court to intervene and force the sale of the property, dividing the proceeds among the owners ing to their ownership interests.
In Texas, an executor can sell a property without all beneficiaries' approval if the will explicitly grants them such authority, if it's necessary for estate administration, or with court approval. They have until the end of probate, which can take up to a year, to complete the sale.
Every co-owner of an interest in the property (no matter how small) must agree in order for a voluntary partition to occur. The remedy when agreement cannot be reached is for one or more of the co-owners to seek a court-ordered division by means of a partition suit.