The actual time it takes from when a partition case is filed to when the land is partitioned physically, by sale, or by set-off varies from case to case. In general, partition cases can take several months or even years to resolve.
The right to a partition or sale includes the right to a partition or sale of any separate lot or tract of property, and the bill or petition need not pray for a partition of all the lots or tracts. (b) This section applies regardless of whether any party, plaintiff, or defendant is a minor, disabled, or a nonresident.
Maryland is considered an “equitable distribution” state. This means, Maryland's Marital Property Act doesn't require divorce judges to divide property right down the middle. Instead, they can distribute the parties' assets in a way that is fair under all the circumstances.
§12–401. (a) A party in a civil case may appeal from a final judgment entered in the District Court. (ii) Granting a motion to dismiss, or quashing or dismissing a charging document.
Property held as joint tenants with right of survivorship or as Tenants by the Entireties will pass to the surviving joint owner. Property held as “payable on death” will pass to the designated beneficiaries.
In short, to force the sale of jointly owned property, you must first confirm title, then attempt a voluntary sale or buyout, file and serve a partition lawsuit, get an appraisal, sell the property, and finally divide the sale proceeds fairly.
The new Partition of Property Act changes existing partition law in Maryland to better protect owners of tenancy-in-common property from forced court-ordered sales of the property.
Tenancy by the Entirety Each spouse owns an undivided interest in the real property, and there is a right of survivorship. Maryland has a presumption that property held by a married couple is held as tenants by the entireties. The presumption applies to property acquired by the married couple.
Liens on jointly-owned property If the married couple or joint owners of a property do not have a tenancy by the entireties title, any lien can attach to the person's interest in the property.