Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

My brother and I own property as tenants in common. He wants to sell the house that I live in. Can he file for a land partition?


Asked on 10/22/13, 6:22 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Yes. Alternatively, you could agree to buy his share.

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Answered on 10/22/13, 6:27 am
Henry Repay Law Offices of Henry Repay

He can try to sell his share, which is unlikely. Most purchasers will not want to co-own a property unless it would be, perhaps, another relative.

Since selling is unlikely, absent cooperation, his remedy would be judicial partition. If the property can be literally divided, then partition means doing just that. Since in many cases it is not reasonable to divide the property, say a single-family home on a standard lot, the alternative is for the court to order a sale.

If the sale is inevitable, I suggest you all save time and expense by giving in to a solution. Either, you can agree to sell and get the most for your money or you can try to work out a buyout. If you can finance it, you can buy him out. If you cannot finance it and he does not have an immediate need for his cash out, then maybe you can work out an installment plan.

An important question that impacts each of you, is there any equity in this property. If not, then he may be best off holding off or working with you on a plan for your purchase. Otherwise, a short sale would be needed, which benefits him only in getting him off the loan.

It would be highly recommended to be counseled through this process. Much of it can be handled by phone, E-mail and fax.

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Answered on 10/22/13, 6:44 am


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