Every resource below is a government agency, court, legislature, bar association, library or nonprofit. We do not list law firms or real estate companies here.
The law
| Resource | What it's useful for |
|---|---|
| Code of Civil Procedure, Title 10.5: Partition of Real and Personal Property | The official partition statutes, starting at §872.010. The Partition of Real Property Act begins at §874.311. |
| Partition of Real Property Act, §874.311 | Scope of the 2023 rules for tenancy-in-common property |
| Probate Code §11950 (partition in probate) | Partition among beneficiaries before an estate is distributed |
| Partition of Heirs Property Act (Uniform Law Commission) | The national model act that shares key features with California's rules |
| San Francisco Law Library | Free legal research help from reference librarians |
San Francisco Superior Court
| Resource | What it's useful for |
|---|---|
| Civil Division | Where partition cases are filed; Civil Clerk's Office at 400 McAllister St., Room 103 |
| Real Property Court | Law and motion for civil cases involving ownership or possession of real property |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | The court's mediation and ADR options for civil cases |
| Tentative Rulings | Tentative law and motion rulings |
| San Francisco Local Rules of Court | Local civil procedure rules |
| ACCESS (Legal Self-Help) Center | Free self-help for people without a lawyer, 400 McAllister St., Room 509 |
| Miscellaneous Legal Issues | Fee waivers and general court help |
| Probate Pro Bono Mediation Program | Free mediation for some disputes over property in an estate |
California Courts
| Resource | What it's useful for |
|---|---|
| Civil cases in California | How civil lawsuits work (partition is a civil action) |
| Representing yourself | What's involved in handling a case without a lawyer |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | Mediation, arbitration and settlement options statewide |
| Court Forms | Official civil forms such as the summons |
| Statewide Civil Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2026) | Current filing fees, including San Francisco's local surcharge |
Property records and taxes (San Francisco)
| Resource | What it's useful for |
|---|---|
| Recording a document | Recording a lis pendens, buyout deed or judgment |
| Get copies of recorded documents | Copies of the current deed and recorded documents |
| Learn about change in ownership | How buyouts and sales affect property tax |
| Tenancy-in-common units | How the Assessor handles TIC properties |
| Learn about transfer tax | How SF transfer tax applies to transfers and sales |
| Transfer tax rates | Current rate table |
| Property Information Map | Free parcel lookup for zoning, permits and assessor data |
Tenants and rental property
| Resource | What it's useful for |
|---|---|
| Learn about San Francisco rental laws | Rent control and eviction protections for occupied co-owned buildings |
| Rent Ordinance, §37.9 | Includes §37.9(k) on tenant disclosures when a building is sold |
| Speak with a Rent Board counselor | Free counseling on Rent Ordinance questions |
Mediation and legal help
| Resource | What it's useful for |
|---|---|
| Community Boards | San Francisco nonprofit offering community mediation and conflict resolution |
| Find a Lawyer Referral Service (State Bar) | State-certified lawyer referral services |
| Find a Certified Specialist (State Bar) | Search State Bar certified specialists (California has no partition-specific certification) |
| Attorney Search (State Bar) | Check any California lawyer's license status |
| BASF Lawyer Referral and Information Service | The Bar Association of San Francisco's referral service |
| Bay Area Legal Aid | Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents |
Checking real estate professionals
| Resource | What it's useful for |
|---|---|
| Public License Lookup (Department of Real Estate) | Check any California broker's or agent's license, including a court-appointed broker |
Related guide
When co-owned property comes from an estate, probate rules may apply first. Our sister guide covers probate in San Francisco: probatessanfrancisco.com.
