A partition action can compel the sale of jointly owned property when co-owners disagree. The process may take up to two years, depending on case complexity and cooperation. Exploring alternatives like mediation before filing a partition action is often advisable.
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.
A partition action is filed in the Court by submitting a “complaint” that complies with all of the requirements of the Code of Civil Procedure. In California, almost all of the partition actions are filed by attorneys on behalf of parties because there are a number of technical legal requirements for filing a lawsuit.
Answer to a Partition Action Complaint in California An answer to a partition action is a pleading by the defendant in response to the plaintiff's complaint for partition. In the answer, defendants have an opportunity to address the allegations contained in the plaintiff's partition action complaint.
A California partition action happens when one co-owner of real property wants to sell but other co-owners do not want to sell their ownership rights. Partition means division. The opposing co-owners have the absolute right by law to divide the property and sell their portion with the legal remedy of “Partition”.
Personal property All property that is not real property. It can be things you can touch, like a car, jewelry, or furniture.
A partition action is filed in the Court by submitting a “complaint” that complies with all of the requirements of the Code of Civil Procedure. In California, almost all of the partition actions are filed by attorneys on behalf of parties because there are a number of technical legal requirements for filing a lawsuit.
Generally, courts divide the costs of partition among the parties in proportion to their ownership interests or in a different manner when necessary to ensure equitable distributions. (CCP § 874.040.)