You can force the sale of a house even if the other owner says no. That is the core power of a partition lawsuit. It is the legal wrecking ball for co-ownership deadlocks.
If you are stuck owning property with an ex-spouse, a sibling who refuses to sell, or a business partner who vanished, this legal tool is your exit ramp. The court steps in and orders a sale. You get your equity. You move on.
This article covers the exact process, what it costs, and when you will see the money in 2026. No sugarcoating. Just the real timeline, the real costs, and the real payout math that competitors skip over.
Here is a number that matters: most uncontested partition actions wrap up in 5 to 7 months from filing to sale order.
Contested ones can push past a year. The clock starts the day you file. We will walk through every phase so nothing surprises you.
What Is a Partition Lawsuit?
A partition lawsuit is a court-ordered legal action that forces the sale or physical division of real estate owned by two or more people who cannot agree on what to do with the property. It ends the co-ownership relationship through a judge’s decree.
Think of it as a divorce decree for real estate. The emotional baggage is similar. The court does not care who is right or wrong. It only cares that an owner wants out. If you own it, you have an absolute right to sever the ownership tie.
This right traces back centuries to English common law. In the U.S., every state has a partition statute on the books. The logic is simple: no one should be forced to own property with someone they cannot stand.
The most common trigger in 2026 is inherited property. Siblings inherit the family home. One wants to sell and cash out. Another wants to keep the house for sentimental reasons or to rent it out. They deadlock. The sibling who wants to sell files a partition action.
Divorce is the second biggest trigger. The marital home gets awarded to both parties in the decree as tenants in common. One party drags their feet on listing it. The other files a partition lawsuit to force the sale.
Business partner fallouts round out the top three. Investment properties purchased together become a battleground when the partnership dissolves.
Key Takeaway: A partition lawsuit is an absolute legal right for any co-owner who wants to exit the ownership arrangement, not a discretionary favor from the court.
How Does a Partition Lawsuit Work?
The lawsuit starts when one co-owner files a complaint in the county where the property sits. The complaint names every other owner as a defendant. It asks the court to order a sale or a division of the property.
The court process unfolds in two distinct stages. Stage one determines the right to partition. Stage two determines how the partition happens.
In stage one, the plaintiff proves they own a share of the property. That is usually straightforward. A deed, a probate order, or a divorce decree does the job. The defendant can argue that no co-ownership exists, but that defense rarely works when the title is clear.
Once the court confirms the plaintiff’s ownership, it issues an interlocutory judgment of partition. This is the green light. It says the plaintiff has the right to force a sale. The only question left is the method.
Stage two is where the real fight happens. The court must decide between partition by sale or partition in kind. Partition in kind means physically chopping the land into separate pieces. Partition by sale means selling the whole thing and splitting the cash.
Here is the reality in 2026: courts heavily favor partition by sale for single-family homes. You cannot cut a house in half. Condominiums, townhouses, and most residential properties are physically impossible to divide. The judge appoints a partition referee to handle the sale.
The referee acts like a court-appointed real estate agent with extra powers. They list the property, negotiate offers, and report back to the court. They also deal with tenants, maintenance issues, and uncooperative occupants.
Key Takeaway: The two-stage process moves from proving your right to sell to actually selling it, with a court-appointed referee managing the transaction.
Partition by Sale vs Partition in Kind
Partition by sale means the court orders the property sold on the open market and the proceeds split among the owners according to their ownership percentages. Partition in kind means the court physically divides the land into separate parcels and assigns each parcel to a different owner.
Partition in kind is the theoretical preference in many state statutes. Courts are supposed to order it unless it would cause great prejudice to the owners. In practice, partition in kind is almost never ordered for residential homes.
Try splitting a three-bedroom ranch house on a quarter-acre lot. You cannot. The physical structure prevents it. Courts recognize this immediately. The prejudice standard is met the moment one party objects and the property is a single residential dwelling.
Partition in kind makes sense for raw land. A 200-acre farm can be carved into two 100-acre farms. A large vacant lot can be subdivided. Even then, the court must consider zoning rules, access to roads, and whether the division destroys the land’s value.
The more common outcome in 2026 is a hybrid approach the courts never formally name but frequently order. It works like this: the court orders a partition by sale, but first gives the co-owners a short window to negotiate a private buyout. If one owner can buy the other out at fair market value, the sale is avoided entirely.
This buyout window is a crucial pressure point. It forces the holdout owner to put up real money or step aside. A buyout demand letter typically accompanies the filing of the lawsuit.
Here is the comparison:
| Method | What Happens | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Partition by Sale | Property sold, cash split | Single homes, condos, buildings |
| Partition in Kind | Land physically divided | Raw land, large farms, subdividable lots |
| Private Buyout | One owner buys the other out | Negotiated settlement before court sale |
Key Takeaway: Residential property almost always sells on the open market. Partition in kind is a farmland exception, not a loophole to keep the family home.
How to File a Partition Lawsuit
Filing starts with hiring a real estate litigation attorney who practices in the county where the property is located. Partition law is state-specific and courthouse-specific. A general practice lawyer is not enough.
Your attorney will pull the title report first. This confirms every owner’s name, the percentage each owns, and any liens or mortgages clouding the title. You cannot file without knowing who to sue.
Next comes the complaint. It names you as the plaintiff and every other owner as a defendant. It describes the property by legal description and address. It states your ownership percentage and asks the court to order a sale.
The complaint also requests the appointment of a partition referee. This motion can be filed simultaneously with the complaint or shortly after. The referee is the operational arm of the court throughout the sale process.
Filing triggers a lis pendens. This is a recorded notice that the property is in litigation. It appears on the title report and prevents anyone from selling or refinancing the property without the court’s knowledge. The lis pendens freezes the asset.
After filing, each defendant must be personally served with the summons and complaint. If a co-owner cannot be found, service by publication in a local newspaper may be allowed. Publication service drags out the timeline.
The defendant typically has 30 days to answer. If no answer is filed, the plaintiff can request a default judgment and speed straight to the partition order.
Key Takeaway: The filing process is a title check, a complaint, a lis pendens recording, and formal service on every co-owner, in that exact sequence.
Partition Lawsuit Requirements
The plaintiff must prove three things: they hold an ownership interest in the property, the property is co-owned with one or more people, and the co-owners cannot agree on a disposition of the property. These are the universal requirements across all 50 states.
Proof of ownership comes from a recorded deed, a probate order distributing the property from an estate, a divorce decree, or a trust document. A verbal claim of ownership is worthless. Paper on file with the county recorder wins.
The co-ownership relationship matters. Tenants in common each hold a distinct share that can be sold, inherited, or partitioned. Joint tenants hold an undivided interest with a right of survivorship. A partition action severs the joint tenancy and converts it to a tenancy in common.
The deadlock requirement is the softest of the three. Courts do not require proof of failed negotiations. A simple statement that the owners cannot agree is sufficient. The filing of the lawsuit itself is treated as evidence of deadlock.
One emerging issue in 2026 involves the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act. Twenty-two states have adopted it. This law gives non-filing family members extra procedural protections. They get a right of first refusal to buy out the filing co-owner at an appraised price.
If you are filing against family and your state adopted the UPHPA, expect a longer timeline. The court must offer the buyout option before ordering a public sale. This law changed the game for heir property disputes.
| Requirement | Proof Needed | Hurdle Level |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership Interest | Recorded deed, probate order | Low |
| Co-Ownership Exists | Title report showing multiple owners | Low |
| Deadlock on Disposition | Filed complaint itself | None |
| UPHPA Compliance (if applicable) | Notice to family members | Moderate |
Key Takeaway: If you have a recorded ownership document and a co-owner who refuses to agree, you meet the requirements. The UPHPA adds extra steps in states that adopted it.
How Long Does a Partition Lawsuit Take?
An uncontested partition lawsuit in 2026 takes 5 to 7 months from filing to the referee listing the property for sale. A contested partition lawsuit stretches to 12 to 18 months. The sale process itself adds another 3 to 6 months.
The single biggest variable is whether the defendant fights the partition right itself. If they argue you do not actually own the property, that triggers discovery, depositions, and possibly a trial. That fight alone can burn 6 months.
If the defendant concedes partition is proper but fights over the method, the timeline is shorter. The court will hold a hearing, hear both sides on partition by sale versus partition in kind, and rule. Expect 2 to 3 months for that phase.
The referee phase is the wildcard. A referee must be appointed, must inspect the property, must hire a broker, must list it, and must negotiate offers. If the property is vacant and in good condition, this moves fast. If a co-owner lives there and refuses access, the referee must seek a court order to remove them.
That eviction side action adds 2 to 4 months. Factor it into your planning if an uncooperative occupant is involved.
Here is a realistic timeline table for an uncontested case:
| Phase | Action | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Filing and Service | Complaint filed, defendants served | 1 to 2 months |
| Responsive Pleading | Defendant answers or defaults | 1 month |
| Interlocutory Judgment | Court confirms right to partition | 1 to 2 months |
| Referee Appointment | Referee named by court | 1 month |
| Marketing and Sale | Property listed, offers received | 3 to 6 months |
| Closing and Distribution | Escrow closes, proceeds split | 1 month |
Key Takeaway: Plan for 5 months minimum in an uncontested case and 12 to 18 months if the other owner hires an attorney to fight every step.
Partition Lawsuit Cost
Total legal fees for a partition lawsuit in 2026 run between $5,000 and $15,000 for an uncontested case. Contested cases with discovery and trial motions can exceed $30,000. These fees are typically advanced by the filing plaintiff.
Many partition attorneys work on a hybrid fee structure. A flat fee covers the initial filing through the interlocutory judgment. Then hourly billing kicks in for the referee phase. Some attorneys take a contingency percentage of the eventual sale proceeds, but this is less common.
The referee charges a fee too. Referees are usually real estate attorneys or retired judges. They bill by the hour at rates ranging from $250 to $500 per hour. Their fees come out of the sale proceeds before any money goes to the owners.
Broker commissions are another cost. The referee hires a real estate broker. The standard commission is 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing and buyer’s broker. On a $400,000 house, that is $20,000 to $24,000 off the top.
Court costs include the filing fee, service of process fees, and referee bond premiums. Filing fees range from $200 to $500 depending on the county. Service costs run $75 to $150 per defendant.
| Cost Category | Uncontested Case | Contested Case |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney Fees | $5,000 to $15,000 | $20,000 to $35,000+ |
| Referee Fees | $2,000 to $5,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| Broker Commission | 5% to 6% of sale price | Same |
| Court and Filing Fees | $500 to $1,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Appraisal Costs | $400 to $800 | $400 to $800 |
Key Takeaway: The plaintiff pays the legal fees upfront, but a court order can shift some or all of those costs to the other side or reimburse them from the sale proceeds.
Who Pays Attorney Fees in a Partition Action?
The filing plaintiff pays their own attorney upfront, but the court can order the sale proceeds to reimburse attorney fees for both sides if the action benefits all co-owners. This is called the common benefit doctrine.
The logic works like this. The partition lawsuit forced a sale that unlocked equity for everyone. The plaintiff did the work. The defendant benefited from that work without doing anything. It is fair to compensate the plaintiff’s attorney from the shared sale pot.
Courts have broad discretion here. A judge can order the plaintiff’s reasonable attorney fees paid from the gross sale proceeds before any split happens. That means the defendant’s share effectively pays half of the plaintiff’s legal bill.
The defendant’s own attorney fees are generally not reimbursable unless the defendant advanced a successful argument that benefited the whole property. Fighting the sale and losing does not get your fees paid. Proving the property needed emergency repairs that the plaintiff refused to fund might.
Many states have a specific fee-shifting statute for partition actions. In California, Code of Civil Procedure section 874.040 allows the court to apportion costs, including attorney fees, among the parties according to their interests.
Here is the practical effect. If you are the plaintiff and you win a partition by sale, expect to file a motion asking the court to reimburse your fees from the sale proceeds. If you are the defendant and you lose, expect the court to deduct legal costs from your share.
Key Takeaway: The plaintiff fronts the money but rarely bears the entire cost alone. The court can spread the fees across all owners through the common benefit doctrine.
Partition Lawsuit Settlement Timeline
Most partition lawsuits settle before the court orders a sale. The settlement timeline typically runs parallel to the litigation clock, with the first serious settlement window opening 60 to 90 days after the complaint is served.
The filing itself is the negotiation trigger. Once the defendant is served and hires an attorney, that attorney will assess the case. They know partition by sale is nearly inevitable for a single-family home. Their advice to the client is usually blunt: negotiate a buyout or accept the sale.
The first settlement milestone is the buyout discussion. The plaintiff’s attorney sends a demand stating a buyout price based on a recent appraisal. The defendant has 30 to 60 days to secure financing. If they cannot, the settlement shifts to agreeing on a sale process.
The second milestone is the referee stipulation. Both sides agree to a specific referee and a specific broker instead of letting the court pick. This saves time and avoids a referee neither side trusts. The stipulation is filed with the court and usually approved.
The third milestone is the listing agreement negotiation. The parties agree on the list price, the broker, and how offers will be evaluated. This prevents the defendant from tanking deals by refusing reasonable offers.
Settlement can happen at any point before the referee accepts an offer. Even deep in the process, a buyout can stop the sale. The later the settlement, the more costs have accumulated, and the less equity remains for both sides.
| Milestone | Timing | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint Served | Day 1 | Negotiation window opens |
| Buyout Offer Extended | Day 30 to 45 | Defendant gets time to secure funds |
| Referee Stipulation | Day 60 to 90 | Parties agree on referee and broker |
| Listing Agreement | Day 90 to 120 | Parties agree on price and process |
| Court Confirmation | After sale closes | Court confirms distribution |
Key Takeaway: Settlement is most likely between day 60 and day 120 after filing. The defendant’s attorney fees, the referee costs, and the broker commission all eat into the defendant’s share the longer they stall.
How Are Proceeds Divided in a Partition Sale?
Sale proceeds are divided by first paying off all secured debt on the property, then reimbursing any co-owner who paid more than their fair share of property expenses, and finally splitting the remaining net equity according to ownership percentages.
The mortgage gets paid first. Always. The lender’s lien is senior to everything. If the property sells for $400,000 and the mortgage payoff is $200,000, that $200,000 goes straight to the bank. The remaining $200,000 is the gross equity pool.
From that pool, the court deducts closing costs, broker commissions, referee fees, and any court-awarded attorney fees. What remains is the net equity available for distribution.
Here is where the math gets personal. If one co-owner has been paying the mortgage, property taxes, and insurance alone for years, that co-owner is entitled to a credit. The court will reimburse those payments from the other owner’s share.
Same goes for capital improvements. If one owner paid for a new roof, a new HVAC system, or a major renovation that increased the property’s value, they get a credit for that. Ordinary maintenance, like mowing the lawn or fixing a leaky faucet, typically does not qualify.
If one co-owner lived in the property rent-free while the other did not, the non-resident owner can seek a credit for the fair rental value of the occupied portion. This is called an ouster claim.
| Deduction Order | Category | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mortgage and secured liens | Absolute priority |
| 2 | Closing costs and broker fees | Second priority |
| 3 | Referee fees and court costs | Third priority |
| 4 | Attorney fees (if court-ordered) | Fourth priority |
| 5 | Co-owner reimbursement claims | Before final split |
| 6 | Net equity split by ownership % | Final distribution |
Key Takeaway: The ownership percentage only applies to what remains after every lien, cost, reimbursement, and credit is paid. Your 50 percent share is 50 percent of the net equity pool, not 50 percent of the sale price.
Partition Lawsuit Payout
The plaintiff receives their payout check after the sale closes, the mortgage is satisfied, all costs are deducted, and the court signs the final distribution order. In a typical uncontested case with a 6-month sale timeline, the payout lands 7 to 9 months after filing.
The referee holds the sale proceeds in an escrow account or a blocked court account after closing. No money moves until the court approves the final accounting. The referee files a report detailing every dollar in and every dollar out.
The report lists the sale price, the payoff amounts, the costs of sale, the referee’s fees, and any reimbursement claims. Each co-owner gets a chance to object to the accounting. If no objections are filed, the court approves it and orders distribution.
If a co-owner objects, a hearing is scheduled. The judge resolves the dispute. The payout gets delayed until the objection is ruled on. Frivolous objections can result in sanctions, including the objecting party paying the other side’s attorney fees for the hearing.
The distribution method depends on the referee and the court. Some referees cut checks directly. Others send the funds to the parties’ attorneys for distribution. Either way, the money moves within 30 days of the court’s approval order.
If one co-owner cannot be located, their share is deposited with the court’s registry or the state’s unclaimed property division. The filing plaintiff still gets their share on time. The missing owner’s money sits in escrow until they claim it.
Key Takeaway: Your payout timeline is 7 to 9 months in an uncontested case with no reimbursement fights. The final court order triggers the check within 30 days.
Partition Lawsuit Alternatives
A buyout agreement is the fastest and cheapest alternative to a partition lawsuit. One co-owner pays the other fair market value for their share. The selling owner signs a quitclaim deed. The buying owner refinances or pays cash.
A negotiated sale avoids court entirely. Both owners agree to list the property with a broker, agree on a price, and split the proceeds. This saves the referee fees, the court costs, and the attorney fees for litigation. It also preserves whatever remains of the personal relationship.
Mediation works when communication exists but deadlock persists. A neutral mediator helps the owners reach a buyout price or agree on sale terms. Mediation costs a few thousand dollars split between the parties and wraps up in a few sessions.
A voluntary exit through a quitclaim deed transfer works when one owner wants out and does not care about fair value. They simply sign over their interest and walk away. This is rare but happens in family disputes where the exiting owner prioritizes peace over money.
A property management arrangement can delay the need for a sale. The owners hire a property manager, rent the place out, and split the income. This turns a deadlocked personal residence into a passive investment. It does not solve the underlying problem but buys time.
| Alternative | Cost | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyout Agreement | $1,000 to $3,000 | 30 to 60 days | One owner wants to keep the property |
| Negotiated Sale | Broker commission only | 3 to 6 months | Both owners willing to sell |
| Mediation | $2,000 to $5,000 | 1 to 3 months | Communication possible but stuck |
| Quitclaim Transfer | Filing fee only | 1 to 2 weeks | Owner walking away with no payment |
| Property Management | Ongoing management fees | Indefinite | Buying time before a sale |
Key Takeaway: Every alternative is cheaper and faster than litigation. A demand letter from an attorney often pushes the holdout owner into one of these options without a lawsuit ever being filed.
Can a Partition Action Be Stopped?
A partition action can be stopped by a buyout, a contractual waiver, or a legal defect in the plaintiff’s ownership claim. A defendant cannot stop a partition simply because they do not want to sell.
The buyout is the cleanest stop. The defendant pays the plaintiff the fair market value of their ownership share. The plaintiff dismisses the lawsuit. The defendant takes full title. This can happen at any point before the court confirms the sale.
A contractual waiver stops a partition cold if one exists. Some co-ownership agreements contain a clause where all owners agree not to seek partition for a specified period. Courts enforce these clauses if they are reasonable in duration and purpose. A 5-year no-partition clause in an LLC operating agreement for an investment property is enforceable.
A legal defect in the plaintiff’s title also stops the action. If the plaintiff’s deed was forged, if the probate order was revoked, or if the plaintiff already sold their interest, the partition fails. The defendant must prove the defect at the interlocutory judgment stage.
Filing bankruptcy stops everything temporarily. The automatic stay in bankruptcy halts the partition action. The bankruptcy trustee steps into the debtor’s shoes and decides whether to proceed. This buys the filing co-owner a few months of breathing room.
Emotional arguments do not work. “This was grandma’s house” is not a legal defense to partition. Neither is “I have nowhere else to live.” The court’s job is to end the co-ownership, not to decide who has a more sympathetic housing situation.
Key Takeaway: Stopping a partition requires a buyout check, a signed contract waiving partition rights, or a provable defect in the plaintiff’s ownership. Emotional pleas carry zero legal weight.
Partition Lawsuit Pros and Cons
The biggest pro is freedom. You get your equity out. You are no longer tethered to a co-owner you cannot stand. The financial entanglement ends. The property is sold. The check is cashed. You move on.
The biggest con is the cost. Attorney fees, referee fees, and broker commissions can eat 8 to 10 percent of the property’s value before you see a dime. On a $400,000 property, that is $32,000 to $40,000 in transaction costs that a voluntary sale might avoid.
A second pro is finality. The court’s order is binding. The holdout owner cannot stall forever. They cannot refuse to sign listing agreements. The referee has the power to list, market, and sell without the defendant’s cooperation.
A second con is the forced sale discount. Properties sold through partition actions sometimes fetch less than market value. Buyers know the situation is distressed. The property may show poorly if an uncooperative owner lives there. The referee prioritizes a clean sale over top dollar.
A third pro is the reimbursement mechanism. The plaintiff who paid more than their share gets made whole. The mortgage overpayments, the tax payments, the insurance premiums all come back through the accounting process. A voluntary buyout often ignores these contributions.
A third con is the relationship destruction. A partition lawsuit is the nuclear option. It permanently ends any chance of a cordial family or business relationship. The litigation is adversarial by design. There is no going back.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Frees trapped equity | Costs 8% to 10% of property value |
| Binding court order ends the deadlock | Potential sale price discount |
| Plaintiff reimbursed for overpayments | Destroys family relationships |
| Referee handles uncooperative co-owner | Timeline is 7 to 18 months |
| No consent needed from other owners | Stress of litigation |
Key Takeaway: Partition is the right tool when the co-owner is unreasonable and the equity is significant enough to absorb the costs. It is the wrong tool when the relationship is salvageable or the equity is too thin.
Forced Sale of Jointly Owned Property
A forced sale of jointly owned property is exactly what a partition by sale accomplishes. The court orders the property sold despite the objection of one or more co-owners. No consent is required from any other owner.
This is the most common outcome of a partition lawsuit involving residential real estate. The judge determines that partition in kind is impossible or prejudicial. The property goes on the market through the referee. It sells to a third-party buyer.
The forced sale mechanism is powerful but not instant. The referee must provide notice to all parties before listing. The listing agreement must be approved by the court. Offers must be presented to all co-owners, though the referee makes the final call if the owners cannot agree.
Overbids at the court confirmation hearing are common in some states. After the referee accepts an offer, the sale must be confirmed by the court at a hearing. Third parties can show up and bid higher. The original buyer can counterbid. This auction process can push the final sale price above the accepted offer.
The forced sale closes like any other real estate transaction. The buyer wires funds. The title company records the deed. The mortgage gets paid off. The referee deposits the net proceeds with the court. The distribution order follows.
If the property is underwater, meaning the mortgage exceeds the sale price, the forced sale still proceeds. The lender gets the entire sale proceeds. The deficiency is split among the co-owners according to their liability on the note. A partition action does not shield anyone from deficiency liability.
Key Takeaway: The forced sale is the execution arm of the partition lawsuit. It converts the property to cash against the will of any holdout owner and moves the money into a court-controlled account for distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a partition lawsuit cost in 2026?
A partition lawsuit costs $5,000 to $15,000 in legal fees for an uncontested case in 2026.
Contested cases with discovery disputes and trial motions can reach $30,000 or more.
Broker commissions, referee fees, and court costs add another 7 to 8 percent of the sale price.
Can I stop a partition sale once it starts?
You can stop a partition sale by buying out the filing co-owner at fair market value.
You cannot stop it by refusing to cooperate, refusing to sign documents, or arguing that the property has sentimental value.
The court will order the sale over your objection if you cannot arrange a buyout.
Who gets paid first from a forced sale?
The mortgage lender gets paid first from the sale proceeds.
Closing costs, broker commissions, referee fees, and court-awarded attorney fees come next.
The remaining net equity is split among the co-owners after any reimbursement claims for unequal contributions are resolved.
Do I need a lawyer for a partition action?
Yes, you need a real estate litigation attorney for a partition action.
Partition law is procedural and state-specific. Filing errors can delay the case for months or get it dismissed.
A lawyer calculates reimbursement claims, negotiates the referee appointment, and ensures the accounting is correct.
What happens if one owner refuses to sell?
If one owner refuses to sell, the court orders the sale anyway through a partition by sale.
A court-appointed referee takes control of the property, lists it, accepts an offer, and closes the transaction.
The refusing owner has no power to block the sale once the interlocutory judgment is entered.
Closing
You own property. You want out. The other owner says no. The law is on your side. A partition lawsuit is your legal right, not a favor you need permission to exercise. Use it.
The costs are real. The timeline is not instant. But the alternative is staying trapped in an ownership arrangement with someone who holds your equity hostage. That is not acceptable. File the complaint. Force the sale. Get your check. Move forward.
Watch your deadlines. Talk to a lawyer in the county where the property sits. Every month you wait is another month the other owner lives rent-free on your investment. You have waited long enough.
