Articles Tagged with Partition action

4192023-1-300x300Following the explosive split between the two stars in the hit reality show, “Vanderpump Rules,” many are left wondering what will become of the couple’s $2.2 million dollar home. Prior to their split, Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval bought a farmhouse-style home in 2019 and took their time to renovate the Property into their dream home. 

Unfortunately, due to Sandoval’s alleged affair in March 2023, the couple split but are still living under the same roof, with Sandoval apparently refusing to leave and stating that Madix was free to leave if she had a problem with him staying. 

What happens when one party wants to leave, and the other party wants to stay on their shared property? In these situations, an owner of commonly owned property like Madix may feel like they are being held hostage by a former partner and co-owner. Under these circumstances, a partition action may be the best option for a fresh start.   

472023-1-300x300An action to quiet title allows a litigant to clear title or have the court establish title to a piece of real property where the title to that property is in the issue. Moreover, a quiet title action is not solely for the purpose of establishing a legal interest in real property but can also be asserted to establish an equitable interest in real property. For example, when two people claim that they own an entire piece of property, one of those parties may file a quiet title action to determine which one of the two persons actually holds title to the property. 

Sometimes, however, the other party will refuse to participate in the lawsuit, which requires a party to win by “default.” In those circumstances, a question arises about what is necessary to do to succeed. The law explicitly addresses these circumstances. 

Specifically, Code of Civil Procedure section 764.010 provides: “The court shall examine into and determine the plaintiff’s title against the claims of all the defendants. The court shall not enter judgment by default but shall, in all cases, require evidence of the plaintiff’s title and hear such evidence as may be offered to respect the claims of any of the defendants, other than claims the validity of which is admitted by the plaintiff in the complaint. The court shall render judgment in accordance with the evidence and the law.” 

452023-300x300Yes, although the tenant is not allowed to exclude the non-consenting owners. The reason for this is grounded in ancient legal doctrine regarding the “right to possession” that all co-owners of property share together. Each owner may exercise this right, and each may grant it to a third party, should they so choose, even without the consent of the other owners. 

While this may be legally allowed, however, it rarely results in anything other than trouble and lawsuits. In these situations, getting the right real estate attorney by your side can make all the difference. At the Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are well-versed in the law surrounding co-ownership and the rights and duties accompanying it. Here, we’re with you every step of the way.  

How does the law view leasing jointly-owned property? 

3292023-300x300While it may not be obvious, a sizeable portion of the work that real estate agents and realtors do is court-ordered. Real estate law is a massive field, and often, the disposition of litigation results in the court forcing the sale of a property, be it a business, home, condominium, etc. As such, many realtors find themselves acting as agents or referees for parties to a lawsuit. 

This situation finds its most common form in the partition. The partition is a special type of lawsuit wherein parties take their equity out of a property by putting it up for sale. However, should a real estate agent accept this task, there are a number of considerations they need to take in mind. The Underwood Law Firm handles partitions every day. As such, we’ve come up with 10 helpful items that every realtor should keep in mind if they’re tasked with partitioning a property. 

Number 1: What is Partition and How Does a Sale Begin? 

3102023-300x300Receivers and partitions referees are cut from the same cloth. In actions involving property, they step in at the request of the parties or order of the court to properly dispose of or manage the property at issue. That said, there are enough differences between the two to warrant litigants being put on notice. 

At the Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys encounter both partition referees and receivers on a regular basis. We are well-versed in their appointment, associated costs, timelines, and the procedure they become involved in. As such, potential litigants should not hesitate to contact our office so that our team can begin helping you achieve your litigation goals. 

What is a Partition Referee? 

2222023-300x300An action for accounting is an equitable action seeking to determine the amount owed to the parties of an action when damages are uncertain. “An accounting is an equitable proceeding which is proper where there is an unliquidated and unascertained amount owing that cannot be determined without an examination of the debits and credits on the books to determine what is due and owing.” (Prakashpalan v. Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 1105, 1136-1137, 167 Cal.Rptr.3d 382.) Therefore, when asserting an accounting action, equitable principles apply. 

In order to prevail on an accounting claim, a party must prove the existence of a relationship and that an uncertain balance is owed to the plaintiff, which requires an accounting. At the Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are more than familiar with accounting actions. 

Elements of an Accounting Action

Underwood-Blog-Images-2-300x300A deed of trust is a commonly used mortgage document in California. Essentially, a deed of trust provides a lender with security for the repayment of the loan and effectively functions similarly to a mortgage.  A deed of trust is a deed that transfers a legal interest in a piece of real property owned by the lendee to the lender, or trustee, in order to secure the debt owed on the loan. Certain elements are required for a deed of trust to be valid. These elements are codified in the Code of Civil Procedure, section 2924. 

A deed of trust involves three parties: (1) the trustor, who is the person who received the loan, (2) the beneficiary, who is the person who loaned the money to the trustor, and (3) the trustee, who is the person that released the loan once it has been paid off. At Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are more than familiar with a deed of trust and the elements required for a valid deed of trust. 

When is it common to have a Deed of Trust?

Underwood-Blog-Images-1-1-300x300A “TIC” Agreement is a contractual agreement between tenants in common to real property. Because each tenant in common is a co-owner of the property, these agreements can help spell out the rights of each, preventing future disputes over payment or occupation. And, if the dispute cannot be prevented, the agreement, acting as a binding contract, provides a clear guideline for a judge to use in a court action, ensuring that the lawsuit moves along as quickly as possible. 

That being said, an imperfect TIC agreement can wind up doing more harm than good in certain situations. If it fails to include a partition waiver, for example, one co-owner can actually attempt to force a sale of the entire property outright. 

As such, it is important for any prospective co-owner of real property to choose the right attorney for the job. At Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are well-versed in the law of co-ownership, and we know the best ways to tackle the disputes that accompany it. Our team has the legal acumen and skills necessary to help you achieve your ownership goals.  

Underwood-Blog-Images-1-300x300In California, a person can claim title to a piece of real property that they are not a titleholder to through adverse possession. Adverse possession requires a person to be in use of a particular piece of real property for the required statutory period. An adverse possessor, however, does not become the titleholder of a piece of property merely by using the property. Certain elements are required for a claimant to acquire title through adverse possession. The requirements for adverse possession are codified in the California Code of Civil Procedure section 323. 

Under section 325, subdivision (b), for an adverse possessor to gain title through adverse possession, the claimant must prove (1) possession under the claim of right or color of title; (2) actual, open, and notorious occupation of the premises which gives reasonable notice to the true owner; (3) possession which is adverse and hostile to the true owner; (4) continuous possession for at least five years; and (5) payment of all taxes assessed against the property during the five-year period. (CCP § 325(b).) At Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are more than familiar with adverse possession and the elements required for gaining title through adverse possession. 

Possession Under the Claim of Right/Color of Title 

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