Detailed answer — what you need to know

When two or more people own real property together, each owner holds an interest subject to equitable duties to the other owners. Connecticut law permits co-owners to ask for an accounting of money one owner spent for the property (for example, mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, necessary repairs). If owners cannot agree, one owner can file a partition action in Superior Court to force sale or division of the property. See Connecticut’s partition statutes covering actions to partition real property: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-495.

Key points the court will consider:

• Right to documents: You may ask a co-owner to produce mortgage statements, canceled checks, bank records, and receipts. If the co-owner refuses, a court has the power to require production through discovery in a partition or related action.
• Mortgage payments: A co-owner who pays the mortgage may be entitled to credit or reimbursement for those payments. However, whether the paying co-owner recovers the full amount depends on whether the payments benefitted the property and the other co-owners, and whether the payer has a recorded lien or agreement.
• Repairs vs. improvements: Courts typically distinguish necessary repairs (preserving the property) from discretionary improvements (adding value). Necessary repairs are more likely to be reimbursed. For improvements that increase market value, the spending co-owner might receive credit for the added value rather than full reimbursement of cost.
• Timing and proof: To get credit, you must prove the payments or expenses with contemporaneous evidence: statements, receipts, checks, invoices, or bank records. Poor or missing documentation weakens the claim.
• Order of satisfaction: Recorded mortgages and liens are paid from sale proceeds according to priority. A co-owner’s claim for reimbursement is an equitable claim the court resolves after lien priorities are respected.

Typical court process:

1. Start with a written request asking the co-owner to provide mortgage statements and repair receipts.
2. If the co-owner refuses, bring a partition action (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-495 & related sections) or a suit for accounting. In those cases the court orders discovery. See Connecticut practice rules for discovery in civil actions for details on how to compel documents.
3. The court reviews submitted documents, may order an accounting, and will allocate net proceeds after paying mortgages, liens, taxes, and approved reimbursements.
4. If necessary, the court can sell the property and divide the net proceeds after credits and charges are resolved.

Practical effects:

• If a co-owner paid the mortgage to keep the property from foreclosure, the court is likely to award that person a credit for the payments (subject to proof).
• If a co-owner spent money on improvements that increased sale value, the court may award an adjustment that reflects the increased value rather than a dollar-for-dollar reimbursement.
• Co-owners who fail to keep records risk losing reimbursement or receiving reduced credit.

Where to find the law: Connecticut permits partition actions and related equitable remedies through the statutes that govern partition and civil procedure (see the partition statute page: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-495). For precise discovery procedures and remedies, consult the Connecticut Practice Book and the rules that govern civil discovery.

Bottom line: You can require co-owners to provide mortgage statements and repair receipts, and if they refuse you can compel production through court-ordered discovery in a partition or accounting action. The court then decides credits or reimbursements based on the evidence, lien priorities, and equitable principles.

Helpful hints

• Send a clear, written request for mortgage statements and repair receipts and keep a copy.
• Preserve your own records: mortgage coupons, bank statements, canceled checks, invoices, contractor contracts, photos before/after repairs.
• Get a title search early to identify recorded mortgages and liens that will be paid first from sale proceeds.
• Document why repairs were necessary (safety, code compliance, preventing further damage) — that helps get reimbursement.
• Consider mediation or a neutral accountant before filing suit; settlement often saves time and costs.
• If you must litigate, ask your attorney about seeking a partition action with a prayer for an accounting and for discovery to compel documents.
• Understand differences between reimbursement (repair costs) and credit for added value (improvements). Courts treat them differently.
• Remember recorded mortgages and other liens have priority; equitable credits generally come after lien satisfaction from sale proceeds.
• Act promptly. Delays may make records harder to obtain and could affect equitable relief.
• Consult a Connecticut attorney experienced in real property and partition matters to protect your rights and to prepare discovery requests or court filings correctly.