Understanding Co-Ownership in Contra Costa County
Our team of partition attorneys in Contra Costa can assist co-owners with frequently asked questions about partitions, such as:
- How does a partition action work in California?
- Can I recover my attorney’s fees in a partition action? Yes, you can recover your legal fees in a partition action through a motion for attorney’s fees. However, most partitions settle, and most settlements involve a walk-away of attorney’s fees, meaning it important to hire a partition attorney who will handle the matter efficiently since each party is likely to pay their own fees.
- What happens to any debts or liens on the property during a partition action? Secured debts are paid from the sale of the property. Secured lenders named in a partition action are generally dismissed with an agreement to pay the mortgage at the time of the sale.
- In a partition action, can I be reimbursed for paying more than my fair share of the down payment? Yes, partition actions allow for offsets whereby one co-owner claims excess payments for mortgage, taxes, insurance, improvements, repairs and other property expenses
- Can you lose interest in a jointly owned home by moving out? Generally, co-owners maintain their ownership interests regardless of whether they live at the property. However, in rare cases, leaving the property for many years without paying taxes or other expenses may allow the co-owners in possession to argue that they have adversely possessed the property. Generally, these co-ownership disputes do not get easier with time, so it is important to act promptly.

Our Brentwood Partition Attorneys Know Contra Costa County
Brentwood is a city located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is a suburban community known for its excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and beautiful parks. It is also home to many tech companies, including Oracle, Apple, and Google. Brentwood is a great place to live, work, and play, with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Brentwood, California is a city located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was founded in 1876 by John Marsh, a former soldier and one of the first settlers in the area. Marsh named the city after his hometown of Brentwood, England. In the early 1900s, the city began to grow as a farming community, with many of the local farmers growing fruits and vegetables. The city was incorporated in 1948 and has since grown to become a popular residential area. It is now home to many affluent neighborhoods and is known for its excellent schools and parks.
Machado v. Machado – Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Machado v. Machado, 66 Cal.App.2d 401 (1944), the issue of partition arose when the parties disagreed over the division of a parcel of land that had been inherited by the plaintiff and defendant. The plaintiff argued that the land should be divided into two equal parts, while the defendant argued that the land should be divided into three parts, with the defendant receiving two-thirds of the land. The court ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiff, finding that the land should be divided into two equal parts. The court also found that the defendant was not entitled to a greater share of the land due to his greater contribution to the purchase of the land.
Contact an Experienced Partition Attorney in Brentwood, California
If you want to end your co-ownership relationship, but your co-owner won’t agree, a partition action is your only option. Our experienced partition lawyers serving Brentwood have years of experience ending co-ownership disputes in California and can help you unlock the equity in your Contra Costa County property. For a free, 15-minute consultation with a knowledgeable partition attorney at Partition Lawyer California, call (925) 999-7700 or fill out a contact form online.
Contact us Today for a Free Consultation with a Partition Attorney in Brentwood, California
Our partition attorneys in Brentwood also serve Antioch, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron, Knightsen, and Bethel Island