Understanding Co-Ownership in Kern County
Our team of partition attorneys in Kern can assist co-owners with frequently asked questions about partitions, such as:
- How will the property be divided if a partition action is successful? In most partition actions, the property will be sold, rather than being divided. If the property is eligible for partition in-kind, the court can appoint a referee to prepare a report on dividing the property in a manner that does not damage the value of the fractional interests.
- What are my partition rights for inherited property? Co-owners of inherited property generally have the absolute right to force the sale of the property through a partition action.
- What is recoverable in a partition action? “In a suit for partition it is a general rule that all equities and conflicting claims existing between the parties and arising out of their relation to the property to be partitioned may be adjusted.” Demetris v. Demetris (1954) 125 Cal. App. 2d 440. This means that co-owners can assert offsets or recover payments of the mortgage, taxes, insurance, repairs and improvements in excess of their fractional interests.
- Can a partition action be stopped? Generally, a partition action cannot be stopped, but a defendant may be able to buy time to seek a resolution. Eventually, however, the plaintiff can generally force the sale of the property based on the absolute right to partition.
- What is a partition referee? A partition referee is a neutral third party, often times a lawyer or real estate broker, who completes the sale for the co-owners under court authority. The referee is then paid for their services either on an hourly, flat fee, or commission basis, and is relieved by the court of their duties in the case.

Our Taft Partition Attorneys Know Kern County
Taft is a small city located in the San Joaquin Valley of California. It is situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 30 miles southwest of Bakersfield. The city has a population of around 9,000 people and is known for its oil production and agriculture. The city is home to the West Kern Oil Museum, which showcases the history of the oil industry in the area. Taft is also home to the Taft College, a two-year community college. The city is known for its annual Taft Midway Days celebration, which includes a parade, carnival, and other festivities.
Falletta v. Sun Star Country Club – Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Falletta v. Sun Star Country Club, 2008 WL 242744, A115387, A117069 (30-Jan-2008) , the main issue was whether the partition of a golf course property was valid. The plaintiff, Falletta, owned a portion of the golf course property and wanted to partition it into two separate parcels. The defendant, Sun Star Country Club, argued that the partition was invalid because it would interfere with the golf course operations. The court ultimately ruled that the partition was valid, but that the plaintiff was required to pay the defendant for any damages caused by the partition. The court also ruled that the plaintiff was responsible for any costs associated with the partition, such as survey and legal fees.
Contact an Experienced Partition Attorney in Taft, California
If you want to end your co-ownership relationship, but your co-owner disagrees, a partition action is your only option. Our experienced partition lawyers serving Taft have years of experience ending co-ownership disputes in California and can help you unlock the equity in your Kern County property. For a free, 15-minute consultation with a knowledgeable partition attorney at Partition Lawyer California, call (661) 999-3300 or fill out a contact form online.
Contact us Today for a Free Consultation with a Partition Attorney in Taft, California
Our partition attorneys in Taft also serve Bakersfield, Maricopa, Fellows, McKittrick, Buttonwillow, South Taft, Ford City, and Dustin Acres