Ventura County Partition Referee: Resolving Co-Ownership Property Disputes Across Ventura County

Co-ownership of real estate can be complicated, especially when disagreements arise. Whether it’s siblings disputing an inherited family home in Ojai, former partners dividing a duplex near Ventura Avenue, or business co-owners parting ways on a commercial lot near Main Street, these disputes can quickly lead to frustration, stalled decisions, and financial strain.

When co-owners cannot agree on how to manage, divide, or sell jointly-owned property, California law offers a solution: a partition action.

What Is a Partition Action in California?

A partition action is a legal remedy that allows any co-owner of real estate to ask the court to force a division or sale of the property. This right is protected under California Code of Civil Procedure § 872.210, and it applies to any co-owner in Ventura County, whether in Camarillo, Fillmore, or Simi Valley.

Unless specifically waived in writing, any co-owner can initiate this process, no matter the size or type of the property.

In Ventura, partition actions are typically filed at the Ventura County Superior Court – Hall of Justice, located at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009, near the Government Center, Ventura County Recorder’s Office, and Pacific View Mall.

Properties Handled by Matthew Taylor in Ventura County

• 15750 Arroyo Drive, Space 168, Moorpark, CA 93021
• 2284 Silver Spring Dr, Westlake Village, CA 91361
• 5005 Benedict Ct, Oak Park, CA 91377

Types of Partition Actions in Ventura

California law recognizes three primary types of partition:

• Partition in Kind
  The court orders a physical division of the property among co-owners. This is more common for vacant land or agricultural parcels, such as those in Santa Paula, Moorpark, or Somis.
  (CCP § 872.810)
• Partition by Sale
  The court orders the property to be sold and the proceeds divided. This is the most common outcome in Ventura County cities like Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Port Hueneme, where homes and duplexes are not easily split.
  (CCP § 872.820)
• Partition by Appraisal
  In this method, one or more co-owners may buy out the others based on fair market value. This process, established under the Partition of Real Property Act (CCP §§ 874.310–874.323), can avoid a public sale and maintain ownership within a family or business.

Two Phases of a Partition Action

1. Ownership Determination and Division or Sale

The court first determines each party’s ownership interest. It then decides whether the property should be divided or sold. This process often involves title reviews, financial documents, and valuations, with the help of a Ventura Partition Referee, especially when disputes arise.

2. Distribution of Proceeds and Reimbursements

If a sale is ordered, the court ensures the net proceeds are fairly distributed. Reimbursement claims may be made for:

• Unequal mortgage, property tax, or insurance payments
  
• Property repairs or improvements
  
• Rental income collected by one co-owner
  
• Exclusive use of the property

These adjustments are handled under CCP § 873.850 and legal precedent such as Milian v. De Leon (1986) 181 Cal.App.3d 1185.

What Does a Ventura Partition Referee Do?

A Ventura Partition Referee is a court-appointed neutral expert who manages the fair sale or division of a co-owned property. Referees are paid from the sale proceeds, not by the individual co-owners.

In a Partition by Sale:

The referee takes responsibility for:

• Hiring a Ventura-based real estate agent
  
• Setting a competitive market price for the property (e.g., a bungalow in Midtown Ventura or a townhouse near Johnson Drive)
  
• Reviewing offers, overseeing escrow, and managing closing
  
• Signing legal documents on behalf of any absentee or uncooperative co-owners

In a Partition in Kind:

The referee assists with dividing the land, especially in rural areas like Lockwood Valley, Lake Sherwood, or Newbury Park, ensuring boundaries are legally and fairly drawn.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Reviewing reimbursement claims
  
• Investigating liens through the Ventura County Recorder’s Office
  
• Making neutral recommendations to the court for final resolution

Even in cases where co-owners are unresponsive, hostile, or missing entirely, the Partition Referee ensures that the process continues smoothly and in full compliance with court directives.

Why Choose Matthew Taylor as Your Ventura Partition Referee?

With over 30 years of experience as a California attorney and real estate broker, Matthew Taylor has overseen hundreds of partition actions across the state. He brings both legal insight and hands-on real estate knowledge to every case.

Matthew has worked with Ventura County properties of all types, from inherited homes near Ventura College and vacation condos in Channel Islands Harbor, to farmland in Piru and commercial buildings in Downtown Ventura.

He understands Ventura County’s real estate landscape, zoning codes, and market trends. Whether you’re dealing with a small dispute between siblings or a complex commercial disagreement, Matthew Taylor offers steady, impartial guidance that moves your case forward, efficiently and lawfully.

Get Trusted Partition Help in Ventura County

If you’re stuck in a co-ownership dispute and unsure where to turn, call Ventura Partition Referee Matthew Taylor today at 909-989-7774. He will explain your options, represent your interests fairly, and help bring your case to a timely resolution.

We serve clients across Ventura County, including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Ojai, Camarillo, Oak Park, Santa Rosa Valley, and beyond.

Contact us now to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward resolving your property dispute.