A Practice Note examining the key issues counsel should consider when initiating a partition action in California state court, including determining if a partition action is appropriate and whether to bring any additional claims or seek additional relief. This Note also discusses how to prepare the partition complaint and other necessary documents, such as the notice of pendency of action (also known as the notice of lis pendens), as well as how to serve and file the case-initiating documents and mail and record the notice of lis pendens.