Rule 1574.Costs and Counsel Fees.

Last amended August 8, 2023 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceCosts of a partition action — including the appraisers’ and hearing officer’s compensation and authorized expert fees — are paid by the parties in proportion to their interests in the property.

Full Text of Rule 1574

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Costs shall be paid by the parties in proportion to their interests in the property. The compensation of appraisers, the hearing officer’s fee, and compensation of experts authorized by the court shall be taxed as part of the costs. Reasonable counsel fees may be charged against the property or fund resulting therefrom, and apportioned among the parties and their counsel in such amount and manner as the court shall deem equitable.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule allocates the expense of a partition. Costs are borne by the parties in proportion to their interests in the property, and the same proportional sharing covers the compensation of appraisers, the hearing officer’s fee, and the compensation of any authorized experts.

Because partition is a shared remedy that benefits all the co-owners by sorting out their joint property, spreading its costs by ownership share treats the owners evenhandedly rather than burdening the party who happened to file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays the costs of a partition?

The parties, in proportion to their interests in the property.

Are appraiser and hearing-officer fees part of the costs?

Yes. They are taxed as part of the costs.

Official Note

Official Note: adopted April 26, 1955, effective November 1, 1955; amended September 1, 1958, effective forthwith.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1574 amended August 8, 2023, effective October 1, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 5108. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (302505).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: partition costscounsel fees partitionappraiser fees costs