MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representative Banks
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 11-21-11, 11-21-27 AND 11-21-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FAMILY MEMBERS AND CO-OWNERS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL IN A PARTITION SALE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 11-21-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
11-21-11. If, upon hearing, the court be of the opinion that a sale of the lands, or any part thereof, will better promote the interest of all parties than a partition in kind, or if the court be satisfied that an equal division cannot be made, it shall order a sale of the lands, or such part thereof as may be deemed proper, and a division of the proceeds among the cotenants according to their respective interests. Remaining family members and co-owners shall have the right of first refusal in the sale. The court may appoint a master to make the sale, and may make all proper orders to protect the rights of the parties interested. The court may order the sale of a part of the land and the partition in kind of the residue.
Before the court shall order a sale of the lands, the court may cause an appraisal to be made of the property, the expense of which shall be taxed and collected as costs in the proceedings. If the court causes an appraisal of the property to be made, then, subsequent to the receipt and filing of the appraisal with the court, the court shall hold in abeyance its order for sale of the land for a period of thirty (30) days in order to allow the parties the opportunity to reach an agreement as to a partition in kind or sale of the lands.
SECTION 2. Section 11-21-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
11-21-27. If, after a judgment for partition and the appointment of masters, it shall appear from the report of the masters, or on exceptions to their report, that a just and equal division of the land cannot be made, or that a sale will better promote the interest of all the cotenants, the court shall order a sale of the land, or such part thereof as may be deemed proper, and a division of the proceeds among those interested, as provided for. Family members and co-owners shall have the right of first refusal in the sale.
Before the court shall order a sale of the lands, the court may cause an appraisal to be made of the property, the expense of which shall be taxed and collected as costs in the proceedings. If the court causes an appraisal of the property to be made, then, subsequent to the receipt and filing of the appraisal with the court, the court shall hold in abeyance its order for sale of the land for a period of thirty (30) days in order to allow the parties the opportunity to reach an agreement as to a partition in kind or sale of the lands.
SECTION 3. Section 11-21-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
11-21-73. A tenant in common of personal property, not exceeding in value the amount provided in Section 9-11-9, may apply for a partition of it by petition in writing to the county court of the county in which the property or some part of it may be, or, in counties not having a county court, to the justice court of the county in which the property or some part of it may be. Thereupon, all the cotenants shall be summoned and the rights of parties ascertained, and an order made for a division of the property. If the property be incapable of division in kind according to the several interests, or if a sale and division of the proceeds will better promote the interests of parties, the county court or justice court, as the case may be, shall order a sale and a division of its proceeds, and may designate a person to make the sale, and may issue execution specially framed to that end, and make all orders necessary or proper to protect the rights of parties and to effect a sale and division of the proceeds. Family members and co-owners shall have the right of first refusal in the sale.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.