Practice Areas
Griswold Law solves problems across California when drastic measures are required.
Attorney Richardson “Red” Griswold is appointed by California courts when circumstances call for a court-appointed Receiver or Partition Referee. He acts as a health and safety receiver, partition referee, business dispute receiver, rents and profits receiver, post-judgment receiver, and tenant habitability receiver. He has been appointed over one hundred twenty times by County Superior Courts across the State of California. Griswold Law also provides legal representation for other receivers and partition referees in California.
Below is a summary of the types of receivership and partition referee assignments we handle.
Health & Safety Receiverships
Griswold Law routinely takes control of dilapidated, abandoned and/or nuisance properties in order to oversee the management, rehabilitation, and/or court-authorized sale of these properties pursuant to California Health & Safety Code section 17980.7, et seq. These properties include but are not limited to apartments, houses, motels, and commercial buildings.
Receivers are typically appointed by a judge after a municipality has filed a lawsuit against a property owner for violating pertinent health & safety, housing, building, municipal, and/or zoning codes and regulations. The property conditions commonly include hoarding, nuisance/drug activity, illegal conversions, and/or tenant habitability concerns. The municipality seeks the appointment of a health & safety receiver to take control of the property and oversee its rehabilitation.
Partition Referee Matters
Griswold Law consistently acts as a court-appointed partition referee in the State of California. A Partition Referee is nominated and appointed when disputes arise between co-owners of real property, such as land or buildings. Most often, the partition referee will be ordered by the court to sell the property being disputed and oversee the distribution of the sale’s proceeds between co-owners.
A common example is when three parties jointly own a piece of property, and Party A wants to sell the property and split the proceeds, but Party B wants to wait until the market warms up, and Party C wants to retain the property long-term and collect rental income from an existing tenant. As a last resort, one or more parties will seek the appointment of a partition referee to “partition” the property. There are three typical ways real property can be partitioned: 1) sale and distribution of net proceeds to co-owners, 2) physical division of the real property, or 3) sale of one co-owner’s interest in the real property to another co-owner.
Business Dispute Receiverships
Griswold Law is often appointed by courts as a receiver to take control of businesses subject to disputes. These disputes may occur between partners or other interested parties. Often, a receiver will be tasked with maintaining the day-to-day operations of the business while the parties litigate their disputes.
We are experienced and ready to immediately step in to take over the day-to-day of any operating business and address common issues, including short-term financing struggles, employee oversight, compiling financial reports, and negotiating delinquencies with creditors and taxing agencies.
Cannabis Receiverships
Griswold Law is uniquely qualified to take on receiverships for cannabis businesses due to our experience as a court-appointed receiver throughout the cannabis industry. We have served as a receiver for retail cannabis dispensaries, and we have also acted as legal counsel to receivers when issues have arisen regarding retail dispensaries and cannabis production facilities.
Cannabis businesses are not eligible for bankruptcy protection due to the federal prohibition against cannabis. Therefore, the receivership remedy is an effective path to address the struggles of a cannabis business. Seeking and obtaining a court-appointed receiver to take control of and operate a distressed cannabis business can be initiated by a few different parties. Sometimes, a lender affected by a failing business loan will initiate a receiver remedy. Other times, a partner in the cannabis business will allege that one of their partners has committed financial mismanagement.
Griswold Law has substantial experience in California cannabis receiverships focused on business operations, local and state licensing, conditional use permits, banking, and security. Further, we have successfully obtained court approval to sell multiple cannabis businesses via receivership sale.
Rents & Profits Receiverships
Griswold Law is frequently appointed to act as a rents & profits receiver. A rents & profits receivership assists in the enforcement of a mortgage, deed of trust, or related assignment. This type of receivership commonly occurs when a property owner defaults on a mortgage and the lender seeks the appointment of a receiver, whose job is to protect the collateral during the foreclosure proceedings. As a receiver, our objective is to collect and secure rents and to preserve and protect the real property asset during a foreclosure. This may include paying property taxes, insurance and operating expenses, addressing any conditions related to health and safety hazards, and keeping the property in compliance with building and housing codes. As a receiver, we not only protect the value and revenue generated from the property, but we also effectively curtail any further losses or liability.
Post-Judgment Receiverships
Griswold Law acts as a post-judgment receiver to assist judgment creditors with satisfying obtained judgments in California. A post-judgment receivership is a judgment enforcement remedy that can expedite the process of satisfying a judge’s orders. As a post-judgment receiver, we are often granted court authority to manage and take possession of the judgment debtor’s real and personal property. That allows us to collect, lease, repair, or sell as the court directs. Further, a post-judgment receiver can assist with seizing and liquidating bank accounts. Swift enforcement steps by a receiver can prevent a judgment debtor from taking further action to transfer or hide assets.
Legal Representation of Receivers and Referees
In addition to our primary role of acting as a receiver or partition referee, Griswold Law provides legal representation for other California receivers and partition referees. Given our vast and practical experience with receiverships, coupled with our litigation background, we are well suited to protect and guide other receiver professionals as they carry out their court-ordered duties.
In California, receivers are not required to be licensed attorneys. In fact, many of the best receivers in California are not attorneys. In certain cases, receivers can benefit greatly from having legal representation. Among other things, it allows the receiver or referee to focus on their court-ordered duties, while their attorney can attend to the procedural/legal issues.
Receiverships & Partition Referee Matters
Martin v. Mechling
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00037018)
Appointed as Post-Judgment Receiver to Aid in Collection on Civil Judgment related to Judgment Debtor’s Business, including Intellectual Property Assets
City of Chino v. Estrada
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1921338)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
County of San Bernardino v. Stanovich
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1929267)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
County of Solano v. Villadsen
(Solano County Superior Court Case No. FCS054120)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
De Maria v. De Maria
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 18TRCV00129)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property
City of Sacramento v. Taylor
(Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 34-2018-00245258)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Brawley v. Flores
(Imperial County Superior Court Case No. ECU000356)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Ortanez v. Ortanez
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2018-00007329)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property
City of Garden Grove v. Rodriguez
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2018-01022938)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Marcos v. Pacho
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2019-00019234)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Sacramento v. Sutton
(Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 34-2019-00251333)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Lemon Grove v. Wit Administration, Inc.
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00015271)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Retail Center
City of Vista v. Estate of Deal
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2019-00016348)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Palmdale v. Francis
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 18AVCV00040)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Diego v. Edwards
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2019-00029399)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Multi-Family Property
City of Banning v. Gateway Business Complex, LLC
(Riverside County Superior Court Case No. RIC1700904)
Appointed as Receiver to Secure and Rehabilitate Distressed Business Park Development
City of Sacramento v. Kong
(Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 34-2018-00234968)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Liberation Management, LLC v. Apollo Satellite Communications, LLC
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2015-00009443)
Appointed as Receiver to Monitor and Oversee Business Operations of Ongoing Business in Dispute
City of San Diego v. Willey
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2019-00030913)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Sacramento v. Ridenour
(Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 34-2019-00248210)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Hinkel v. Daoas
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2019-00048115)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property
City of San Diego v. Barton
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2019-00057598)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Diego v. Ulm
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2018-00058132)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Escondido v. Lawrence
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2018-00043765)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Diego v. Kulhanek
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2018-00044764)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Escondido v. Karp
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2018-00041001)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Diego v. House
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2018-00034064)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Marcos v. San Marcos Collective
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2017-00027107)
Appointed as Receiver to Take Control of and Shut Down an Illegal Marijuana Dispensary
County of Santa Clara v. Gullicksen
(Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 1-09-CV-141882)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Upland v. Bean
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1808053)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Garden Grove v. Obando
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2018-00985627)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Vailu-u v. Via
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2017-00926981)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property
City of Brawley v. Caldeman
(Imperial County Superior Court Case No. ECU09985)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Diego v. Sanders
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2018-00007424)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Fontana v. Rodriguez
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1708435)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Salonsaari v. Proctor
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2017-00946446)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property
Persson v. Childs
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00001800)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property
Alvarez v. Montemayor
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2017-00031374)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property
City of San Diego v. Iatridis
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2017-00045079)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Fontana v. Choi
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1717424)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Two Substandard Single-Family Properties
All v. Theodore
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2015-00020127)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property
City of Banning v. Zukaza, LLC
(Riverside County Superior Court Case No. RIC1700904)
Appointed as Receiver to Secure and Sell Abandoned Business Park Development
City of Rancho Cucamonga v. Pestel
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1709061)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Chula Vista v. Green Lady
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00006706)
Appointed as Receiver to Take Control of and Shut Down an Illegal Marijuana Dispensary
City of Garden Grove v. Tamura
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2017-00916100)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Riverside v. Vanowen Holdings, LLC
(Riverside County Superior Court Case No. RIC1613114)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Development of Partially-Completed 113-unit Apartment/Assisted-Living Property
City of San Diego v. Hoffman
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2017-00021581)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Ouren v. Trites
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00022858)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Disputed Real Property and Time-Share Property
City of San Diego v. Sikking
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2017-00016222)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Fontana v. Cantoria
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1619631)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Fontana v. Hamel
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1619658)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Tehachapi v. Price
(Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-16-102193)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Tehachapi v. Razza
(Kern County Superior Court Case No. BCV-16-101921)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Coachella v. Gonzalez
(Riverside County Superior Court Case No. PSC1602109)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Diego v. Espinoza
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 30-2016-00036540)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Coachella v. Ochoa
(Riverside County Superior Court Case No. PSC1604517)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Solana Beach v. Fuess
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00001673)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Stokes v. LaMotte
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2016-00841169)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Real Property in Dispute
Meek-Barros, LLC v. Adams-Garbiras Developers, LLC
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00011529)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee/Develop/Liquidate Partially-Completed 22-Home Residential Development Due to Developer Partnership Dispute
Oceanside Community Assoc. v. Altholz
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00022136)
Appointed as Rents & Profits Receiver to Oversee Management of Real Property Pending Foreclosure
City of San Diego v. Parry
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00020392)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Brown v. Brown
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00003545)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Real Property in Dispute
Harrow v. Harrow
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. BC593497)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Property in Dispute (Apartment Building & Unimproved Land)
City of Garden Grove v. Kuskie
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2015-00823918)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of San Diego v. Flick
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2016-00007929)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Redding v. Shree Shiva, LLC
(Shasta County Superior Court Case No. 15-183558)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of 59-unit Motel
City of San Diego v. Castro
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2015-00035395)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Garden Grove v. Lee
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2015-00816659)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Fullerton v. Beze
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2015-00810361)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Nguyen v. Nguyen
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2014-00035089)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Property in Dispute
City of El Centro v. Lewis
(Imperial County Superior Court Case No. ECU08683)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Apartment Building
Schussler v. McAbee
(San Diego County Superior Court Case No. 37-2014-00022456)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Property in Dispute
City of Garden Grove v. Weber
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2015-00788658)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Costa Mesa v. Leong
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2015-00779709)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Whittier v. Hubert
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. VS026906)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Whittier v. Veronin
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. VS026645)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Los Altos v. Schwafel
(Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 114CV262000)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of El Centro v. Mercado
(Imperial County Superior Court Case No. ECU08474)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Highland v. Wolfe
(San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. CIVDS1313867)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Willows v. Fulton
(Glenn County Superior Court Case No. 13CV01227)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Willows v. Gregory
(Glenn County Superior Court Case No. 13CV01226)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Willows v. Little
(Glenn County Superior Court Case No. 13CV01225)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Fullerton v. Milton
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2014-00725920)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Sunnyvale v. Stersky
(Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 113CV252957)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Marquez v. Bonilla
(Riverside County Superior Court Case No. RIC1311808)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Property in Dispute
Vi v. Vi
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2013-00690185)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Property in Dispute
City of Lakewood v. Atwater
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. VS025999)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of South Pasadena v. Wang
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. ES017876)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Irvine v. Sears
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2014-00719358)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Young v. Sharts
(San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2010-00054526)
Appointed as Post-Judgment Receiver related to Judgment Debtor’s Intellectual Property
Logan Mortgage, Inc. v. Liosis Enterprises, Inc.
(Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. EC062248)
Acted as Assistant Receiver in Rents & Profits Receivership for 14-unit Commercial Building
City of La Habra v. Hastie
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2014-00707861)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Buena Park v. Nguyen
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2014-00690775)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
Jenison v. Jenison
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2013-00658250)
Appointed as Partition Referee to Sell Property in Dispute
City of La Habra v. Cortez
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 2013-00662861-CU-PT-CJC)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Whittier v. Verdusco
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. VS024669)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation and Management of Real Property
City of Westminster v. Mederios
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2012-00603405)
Appointed as Receiver to Rehabilitate and Sell Real Property
City of South Pasadena v. Alari, et al.
(Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. GS014444)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation of Real Property
City of La Habra v. O’Connor
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2011-00526776)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Management and Rehabilitation of Apartment Building
City of La Habra v. St. Clair
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2010-00399324)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation of Real Property
City of Westminster v. Falzon
(Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2010-00382978)
Appointed as Receiver to Oversee Rehabilitation of Real Property
For more information please contact Griswold Law today.
Griswold Law, APC
705 N. Vulcan Avenue
Encinitas, CA 92024
T: (858) 481-1300
F: (888) 624-9177
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