Articles Tagged with partition sale

underwood-selling-partition-property-private-sale-300x300Real property partitions help co-owners and co-tenants divide real estate that they purchased together.  Partition actions can be agreed upon by the parties, but if there is no agreement, a court will oversee the partition.  Under California law, a court will first determine each party’s interest in the property and then determine the way the property will be partitioned.  (Code Civ. Proc., § 872.720(a).)  California Civil Code of Procedure section § 872.720(a) provides: 

If the court finds that the plaintiff is entitled to partition, it shall make an interlocutory judgment that determines the interests of the parties in the property and orders the partition of the property and, unless it is to be later determined, the manner of partition.  (Code Civ. Proc., § 872.720.)  

Property partitions can be completed by dividing the physical property, by selling the property and dividing the amount of the sale among the interested parties, or by appraisal with all parties’ consent.  In partitioning property through a sale without an agreement, courts may select a referee to assist in the sale.  While courts presume that physical division of the properties is the fair option, a party wanting to sell the property can prove that it would be fairer to sell it than it would be to divide it.  (Butte Creek Island Ranch v. Crim (1982) 136 Cal.App.3d 360, 366.)

underwood-responsible-bidder-partition-300x300Under the Partition Law, “[a] bidder is responsible if it can perform the contract as promised.” (PCC § 20162; Valley Crest Landscape, Inc. v. City Council (1996) 41 Cal.App.4th 1432, 1438.) That means, in essence, that it can be determined from the face of the bid itself that it will be viable, without outside investigation or information. (Taylor Bus Service, Inc. v. San Diego Bd. Of Education (1987) 195 Cal.App.3d 1331, 1342.) 

The concept of the “responsible bidder” comes up at the end of partition cases when the court is deciding whether the confirm or vacate the partition sale. Essentially, the law provides that if a “responsible bidder” makes a viable bid above the sales price, then the court may vacate the sale and either sell the property to the bidder, or start a new round of marketing the property. 

For parties who were looking forward to a sale, this can be devastating news if the court chooses to send the house back to the market. As such, having the right attorney by your side can make all the difference. At Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are well versed enough in the practice and procedure of partition actions to help you get the answers and relief you need

672023-300x300Partitions sales and divorce sales are two different ways that a property can be sold.  One difference between the two is that in a partition sale, the court usually decides the proportion of ownership and how the proceeds are distributed among the owners, while in a divorce sale, the court generally must divide the property equally. Another difference is that the divorce sale process is similar to a normal real estate sale. Both sales can be determined informally among the parties or ordered by a court.   

The Partitions Sale Process

Usually, partition sales are ordered by a court. This is because partition lawsuits are often brought before courts by a property owner who wants to force a sale if the parties cannot come to an agreement. Read more about partition actions generally here

622023-300x300Partitions sales and trustee sales are two different ways that a property can be sold. A main difference between the two is that a partition sale is ordered and overseen by the court, while a trustee sale is overseen by a third party in relation to foreclosure proceedings. While the third party is not beholden to a court ruling in a trustee sale, they must still follow the procedures outlined in California law. 

The Partitions Sale Process

Usually, partition sales are ordered by a court. This is because partition lawsuits are often brought before courts by a property owner who wants to force a sale if the parties cannot come to an agreement. Read more about partition actions generally here

Underwood-Blog-Images-1-2-300x300The appointment of a partition referee is one of the most important aspects of a Partition Action. A partition referee is a neutral third party that is appointed by and accountable to the court. The sole function of a partition referee is to assist the court in matters related to partition actions. (CCP § 873.510.) The purpose of this blog post is to address who can serve as a partition referee in a court-supervised partition sale. 

Generally, the law does not contain any requirements that a person must have in order to be eligible to serve as a Partition Referee. Instead, Code of Civil Procedure section 873.050 lists only individuals who cannot serve as partition referees. At Underwood Law Firm, our attorneys are more than familiar with partition actions and the complexities of appointing the right partition referee.  

What is a Partition Action? 

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