Unlike a will, which can be challenged or contested in court, it is much harder to dispute due to its irrevocable nature. A well-crafted settlement deed acts as a dispute avoidance mechanism, preventing future conflicts among family members or stakeholders.
A Memorandum of Family Settlement is a preferred mode adopted by the families to record the terms of the division/ partition of family property(ies) in comparison to a partition deed as it is not a compulsorily registrable instrument and the stamp duty implications on MOFS are considerably lesser than in case of a ...
To initiate a partition action, the petitioner must file a complaint with the appropriate court that describes the property involved. The complaint must also include the ownership shares and interests of all co-owners as well as any other property co-owned by the parties. NY Real Prop Actions L § 905.
Unlike a sale deed, a settlement deed does not necessarily involve direct monetary consideration. Instead, it may be executed out of love, affection, or family arrangements. For example, if parents want to release their property rights to their sons and daughters, they can do so through a settlement deed.
In New York, a partition action can take between 1.5 to 2 years to get to trial. The period depends on various factors, such as the complexity of the case, the number of parties, and the court's case load. Most partition actions, however, are settled and do not go through trial.
The length of a partition action can vary depending on the complexity of the case and whether the co-owners are able to reach an agreement. In general as with any litigation, the process can take several months to a year or more.