Partition Action Q&A Series

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How can I get a legally binding written agreement that gives me time to refinance and keep the house in exchange for the other co-owner walking away? NC

How can I get a legally binding written agreement that gives me time to refinance and keep the house in exchange for the other co-owner walking away? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, the usual way to make that kind of deal legally binding is to put the settlement in a detailed written agreement…

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Can I stop the other co-owner from taking tools, equipment, or other valuables from the property until we have something signed? NC

Can I stop the other co-owner from taking tools, equipment, or other valuables from the property until we have something signed? – NC Short Answer Usually, not by self-help alone. In North Carolina, each co-owner generally has a right to enter and use jointly owned real property, but that does not mean one co-owner can…

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How do I handle the other co-owner demanding to come onto the property to get personal belongings when I’m worried they’ll take more than that? NC

How do I handle the other co-owner demanding to come onto the property to get personal belongings when I’m worried they’ll take more than that? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, one co-owner usually cannot be barred from all access to jointly owned property without a court order, but the court in a partition…

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Do paying the property taxes and maintaining the property help me claim a bigger share or get reimbursed when the title is sorted out? NC

Do paying the property taxes and maintaining the property help me claim a bigger share or get reimbursed when the title is sorted out? – NC Short Answer Usually, paying property taxes and maintaining inherited property in North Carolina does not automatically increase a co-owner’s ownership percentage. But those payments can matter when the court…

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If my parent died without a will and co-owned a house with someone else, do the children inherit the parent’s share of the home? – NC

If my parent died without a will and co-owned a house with someone else, do the children inherit the parent’s share of the home? – NC Short Answer Usually, yes—but only if the parent owned a share that did not include a right of survivorship. In North Carolina, a deceased owner’s nonsurvivorship interest in real…

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If there is a will that divides the property differently than the petition says, how does that affect whether the house can be sold and how the proceeds are split? NC

If there is a will that divides the property differently than the petition says, how does that affect whether the house can be sold and how the proceeds are split? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, a partition case can often still move forward even if the petition lists the ownership shares incorrectly. The…

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What happens if one of the heirs has been living in the house for years without paying rent—does that change how the proceeds are divided? – NC

What happens if one of the heirs has been living in the house for years without paying rent—does that change how the proceeds are divided? – NC Short Answer Usually, not by itself. In North Carolina, one heir’s long-term use of a co-owned house without paying rent does not automatically reduce that heir’s share of…

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What happens if real property is transferred from an estate and a trust to two beneficiaries who want separate ownership? NC

What happens if real property is transferred from an estate and a trust to two beneficiaries who want separate ownership? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, once the deed places the property in two owners as cotenants, either owner can usually file a partition proceeding even if one owner holds title through a trust.…

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Attorney Jared Pierce
Attorney Jared Pierce
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