Everyone dreams of a distant relative leaving them a healthy inheritance, including a nice piece of real estate. Unfortunately, many people find that getting a big inheritance is a pretty stressful experience, especially when they have to split it with other people.
If you and others are on the receiving end of a piece of property, and you can’t decide what to do with it, a partition action may be in your future. How much does a partition action cost, though? Read on to learn everything you need to know about it!
What Is a Partition Action?
A partition action lawsuit is a legal mechanism used by two or more people who have the same rights to a piece of real estate but cannot decide what to do with it. Instead of fighting for eternity over the property, a court decides whether a particular property should be sold and how the proceeds should be distributed.
Typical examples of people who seek out partition actions are siblings who inherit their parent’s family home. If they cannot decide whether to sell the house or whether one of them should live in it, a court can help settle their dispute. It is also helpful for unmarried partners who share ownership of a house and subsequently break up.
How Much Does a Partition Action Cost in California?
If you find yourself in a sticky situation and searching for Sacramento partition lawyers, the biggest thought on your mind is probably about how much it’ll cost you. Unfortunately, There’s no flat rate for a partition action lawsuit in California. How much you pay depends entirely on the complexity of your case.
Typical Cases
The good news is that the majority of partition actions settle relatively quickly. That means your partition attorney only needs to draft and file a complaint with the court and serve it to the defendant. Once the defendant receives their summons, they typically realize their hands are tied.
You can expect to spend anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000 on your case. The total of your bill depends on your attorney’s hourly rate and the amount of time they spend on the case. It’s a good rule of thumb to assume it’ll come in at the top of the range, just in case.
Complicated Cases
In cases where the defendant isn’t willing to budge or respond to the complaint, you’ll pay more for your partition action. This is because your partition lawyer has to appoint a real estate broker to sell the property, sometimes to one of the co-owners. These cases cost up to $25,000 to settle.
There are very rare cases where the situation is so complex that your bill may exceed $25,000. Your attorney will let you know ahead of time if this may be the case.
Partition Actions Don’t Have to Be a Mystery
One of the first questions a client asks their partition lawyer is, “How much does a partition action cost?” The answer depends on the circumstances of your case. Plan on setting aside at least $10,000 to navigate the case – an expense that’s well worth it to get the weight of real estate off your shoulders.
Life throws lots of curveballs at you that leave you searching for answers. Don’t you wish you had a place to go to find them? Check out the rest of our blog for tons of helpful articles about all of life’s surprises.
