San Bernardino County Partition Referee: Helping Property Co-Owners Resolve Disputes in the Inland Empire

Attorney Matthew Taylor Whether it’s siblings disputing an inherited home in Arrowhead Farms, former partners dividing a duplex near Downtown San Bernardino, or business co-owners with conflicting goals for a commercial lot in Colton, real estate co-ownership conflicts in San Bernardino County can escalate quickly.

When property owners can’t agree on what to do next, California law provides a solution: a partition action, a legal process that ensures fair division or sale of jointly-owned property.

What Is a Partition Action in California?

A partition action is a legal procedure governed by the court that allows any co-owner of real property to force a division or sale of the property. This right is protected by California Code of Civil Procedure § 872.210.

Unless a written agreement says otherwise, any co-owner, whether living in San Bernardino, Redlands, Fontana, or Rialto, can initiate a partition case.

Partition actions in San Bernardino are typically filed with the San Bernardino County Superior Court, located at 247 West Third Street, in the Civic Center area near the Historic California Theatre and City Hall.

Properties Handled by Matthew Taylor in San Bernardino

Types of Partition Actions in San Bernardino

Under California law, there are three recognized types of partition:

Partition in Kind
The property is physically divided among co-owners. This is more commonly used with undeveloped land or agricultural properties in areas like Highland, Mentone, or Devore Heights.
(CCP § 872.810)
Partition by Sale
The property is sold and the proceeds divided. This is the most common form of partition in cities like Rancho Cucamonga, Loma Linda, and Yucaipa, where dividing physical structures is impractical.
(CCP § 872.820)
Partition by Appraisal
One co-owner may buy out the others at a fair appraised value, avoiding a public sale. This method gained more recognition under the Partition of Real Property Act (CCP §§ 874.310–874.323) passed in 2022.

Two Phases of a Partition Action

1. Ownership & Sale Determination

The court will first establish the percentage of ownership and decide whether the property should be divided or sold. This often requires reviewing title records, loan documents, and contributions from each party, with help from a San Bernardino Partition Referee in more complex cases.

2. Accounting & Proceeds Distribution

If the property is sold, the court will ensure the proceeds are divided fairly. Adjustments can be made for:

Unequal contributions to mortgage payments, property taxes, or insurance
Renovation or maintenance expenses
Exclusive use or rental income by one party

These adjustments are guided by CCP § 873.850 and supporting case law like Milian v. De Leon (1986) 181 Cal.App.3d 1185.

What Does a San Bernardino Partition Referee Do?

A San Bernardino Partition Referee is a neutral professional appointed by the court to facilitate the sale or division of the property. They are not paid by either party but compensated through the property sale proceeds, pending court approval.

In a Partition by Sale:

The referee steps in to:

Hire a licensed local real estate broker familiar with the Inland Empire housing market
Set a fair listing price (e.g., for a home near Hospitality Lane, or a rental property off E Street)
Manage buyer offers, negotiations, and escrow
Sign sales documents on behalf of any uncooperative or absentee co-owners

In a Partition in Kind:

The referee helps with the physical division of larger properties, such as parcels in Phelan, Apple Valley, or Joshua Tree, ensuring it complies with local zoning regulations.

Additional Duties:

Evaluate reimbursement claims
Investigate liens filed with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office
Make impartial recommendations to the court to ensure a fair resolution

A Partition Referee ensures that the process remains efficient, fair, and compliant with the court’s instructions, even when emotions or disputes make cooperation difficult.

Why Choose Matthew Taylor as Your San Bernardino Partition Referee?

Matthew Taylor is both a California-licensed attorney and real estate broker with over 30 years of experience in partition law. He has helped co-owners resolve disputes involving homes, duplexes, apartments, commercial buildings, ranches, and undeveloped land throughout San Bernardino County and beyond.

From partitioning single-family homes in Chino Hills and Ontario to managing court-ordered sales in Big Bear Lake, Matthew understands the legal, financial, and emotional complexities involved in co-ownership disputes.

He works closely with local brokers and escrow officers, ensures compliance with San Bernardino property laws, and moves cases forward when others can’t.

Get Trusted Partition Help in San Bernardino

If you’re dealing with a difficult co-ownership situation, don’t let the conflict continue unresolved. Contact San Bernardino Partition Referee Matthew Taylor at 909-989-7774 to learn your legal options and move toward a fair resolution.

We proudly serve clients throughout San Bernardino County, including Upland, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Rialto, Hesperia, Chino, Barstow, Apple Valley, Twentynine Palms, and surrounding areas in the Inland Empire.

Call now or request a consultation online to get started with a legal partner who understands your rights, and how to protect them.

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909-989-7774