Under the California Partition Law 2026 reforms (enacted through the Partition of Real Property Act), a lawyer can utilize several new and existing legal protections to stop a predatory forced sale of inherited property:

• Notice of Pending Action (Lis Pendens): An attorney can file a lis pendens against the property. This recorded document warns potential buyers that the property is subject to litigation, which effectively blocks quick, undervalued sales to investors.
• Statutory Buyout Rights: Under the new reforms, co-owners have expanded rights to purchase the interests of others at the court-appraised value. A lawyer can exercise these buyout rights to allow a family member to keep the property, bypassing a public or predatory forced sale.
• Mandatory Appraisals: To prevent price manipulation by predatory parties, the law now mandates a court-ordered, independent appraisal by a qualified professional. This ensures that any buyout or sale is based on objective fair market value rather than a “low-ball” offer.
• Mandatory Mediation: Effective January 1, 2026, parties must participate in mediation within 90 days of filing a partition action. A lawyer can use this period to negotiate a voluntary buyout or settlement before a court orders a sale.
• Right of First Refusal: If a sale is ordered, a lawyer can help a co-owner exercise their right of first refusal, providing a 30- to 90-day window to match a verified valuation and acquire the property before it goes to public auction.

• California Partition Law 2026 Reforms: Key Buyout Rights Explained