
Partition Referee in Los Angeles
In California, co-owners of real estate who are unable to agree on the use or sale of a property may file a lawsuit seeking partition. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §872.210, the court may determine whether partition is appropriate and, if so, issue an interlocutory judgment. At that point, the court may appoint a partition referee in Los Angeles to carry out the division or sale of the property. According to §873.010, the court outlines the referee’s duties, which may include marketing the property, overseeing the sale, and managing financial accounting. If a sale is ordered, the referee has the authority to sell the property under §873.510, subject to court confirmation and potential overbid procedures as outlined in §873.740.
Who We Work With

Trust & Estate Attorneys
Trust & estate attorneys managing inherited property disputes among family members in areas like Brentwood, Beverly Hills, and Pasadena
Litigators
Litigators representing business partners disputing jointly owned real estate in neighborhoods like Venice, Koreatown, or Hollywood
Co-Owners
Co-owners of single-family homes, duplexes, or apartment buildings anywhere in Los Angeles County
Property Types in Los Angeles Partition Cases
Partition disputes in Los Angeles often involve a wide range of property types, including single-family residences, condominiums, multi-unit housing, and commercial real estate. FedReceiver is experienced in managing partitions across all property classes throughout the region. Our familiarity with the diversity of Los Angeles real estate and its market conditions allows us to guide fair valuations, streamline the sale process, and ensure equitable distribution of proceeds in accordance with court directives.

Clients Who Trusted Us
About Our Court-Appointed Partition Referees
Los Angeles Partition Referee Experts for Court-Ordered Real Estate Sales
A partition action is the primary legal remedy in California to resolve disputes between co-owners of real estate. Governed by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 872.210, it allows the court to equitably divide or order the sale of jointly owned property. In Los Angeles, this process is commonly used when family members, business partners, or investors cannot agree on how to handle shared real estate.
FedReceiver’s court-appointed partition referees bring extensive experience managing both residential and commercial property sales throughout Los Angeles County. We handle all aspects of the partition process, from evaluating ownership interests and accounting for income and expenses, to preparing detailed reports for the court. Our team works closely with legal counsel, financial experts, and the court to ensure fair treatment of all parties, taking into account secured and unsecured claims before the final distribution of proceeds is made under court supervision.
Stephen J. Donell Los Angeles
President of FedReceiver, Inc., Jalmar Properties, Inc. and Donell Expert Services, Inc.
James H. Donell Los Angeles
Founder and Chief Executive Office of FedReceiver, Inc. and Jalmar Properties, Inc.
Todd D. Donell Los Angeles
Executive Vice President of FedReceiver, Inc. and Jalmar Properties, Inc.
Sarah R. Bates Los Angeles
Vice President of FedReceiver, Inc. and Jalmar Properties, Inc.
Locations Served
With cases involving assets throughout the country and internationally, FedReceiver, Inc. provides nation-wide receivership services including international asset recovery.
Alameda, Butte, County of San Francisco, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Marin, Orange County, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernadino, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Ventura County, and the California District Court
States with cases/assets include Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
Why Choose FedReceiver in Los Angeles?
With hundreds of partition matters handled throughout Los Angeles Superior Court, FedReceiver provides unmatched local expertise. We understand the nuances of local real estate values, courthouse procedures, and how to work collaboratively with local attorneys, judges, and stakeholders.
Our referees led by Stephen Donell, based in West LA have been trusted by attorneys across Los Angeles County, including in Van Nuys, Torrance, and Central District courts.
Reach out
Reach out to us via our contact page or call our office.
Set an Appointment
An initial call will allow for an initial assessment of the proposed case.
Sample Pleadings & Orders
With approximately 800 cases, FedReceiver has a vast library of exemplars including motions seeking appointment of referee, orders appointing referee, interlocutory judgments and memorandum of points & authorities.
References
We offer excellent references with local and national law firms, accounting firms and clients.
Court Experience
Given our decades of experience and hundreds of cases, we have appeared in state/federal court and have excellent relationships with numerous courts/judges.
Los Angeles Partition Referee FAQs
What is a Court Partition Referee in Los Angeles?
A court-appointed partition referee in Los Angeles is a neutral third party designated by the court to manage the division or sale of jointly owned real estate. The referee carries out the court’s order and ensures that co-owners receive their fair share of the proceeds.
How do I file a partition action in Los Angeles County?
To start a partition action in Los Angeles, one of the co-owners must file a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court. The court may then appoint a partition referee in Los Angeles to oversee the sale or division of the property.
What happens when a Los Angeles court orders a partition by sale?
In a partition by sale, the property is sold and the proceeds are distributed among the co-owners based on their ownership interest. A Los Angeles partition referee manages the listing, marketing, and closing of the sale with court oversight.
How long does it take to complete a partition action in Los Angeles?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, court availability, and cooperation among parties. On average, a Los Angeles partition action may take 6 to 12 months from initial filing to final distribution.
Can I be forced to sell my share of a property in Los Angeles?
Yes. Under California law, any co-owner has the right to file for partition. If the court grants the petition, the property may be sold even if other owners object. The sale is typically handled by a partition referee in Los Angeles.
Can a local Realtor serve as the partition referee?
No. While a Realtor may assist with marketing the property, only a qualified and court-approved partition referee in Los Angeles can act as the referee. FedReceiver provides licensed professionals experienced in real estate and legal compliance.
What is the role of the court in a partition case in Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles Superior Court determines ownership shares, approves the appointment of a referee, and oversees the sale process. The court also confirms the sale and authorizes the distribution of proceeds after reviewing the referee’s final report.
How does a partition referee distribute proceeds in Los Angeles?
After the property is sold, the partition referee in Los Angeles prepares an accounting report detailing expenses, credits, and any debts. The court then confirms how funds are divided and issues a final order for distribution.
What kinds of properties are subject to partition in Los Angeles?
Partition actions in Los Angeles commonly involve single-family homes, condominiums, multi-unit properties, and commercial buildings. A Los Angeles partition referee can manage disputes involving any type of jointly owned real estate.
How can FedReceiver, Inc. help with partition cases in Los Angeles?
FedReceiver provides experienced, court-appointed partition referee services in Los Angeles, managing everything from sale coordination to court reporting. Our team has handled hundreds of cases across Los Angeles County and is trusted by top attorneys and judges.
Review the chapter authored by Mr. Donell

Reviving the Financially Distressed Business
Reviving The Financially Distressed Business is the essential guide for business owners and corporate leaders whose companies are under—or anticipating—financial difficulties. See Chapter 11, Receiverships, written by Court Receiver Stephen Donell, CCIM, CPM
Steve Donell’s contribution to the book “Reviving a Financially Distressed Business” reflects not only his expertise as a receiver, but his sound judgment on how receivership can be used to effectively advance a financially troubled business.”
– Brian Davidoff, Esq. Author and Editor
