Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Courts don't determine prevailing parties on the basis of number of causes of action won, lost or dropped. The question is whether the plaintiff got substantial relief, such as a net monetary recovery. See Code of Civil Procedure sections 1032 and 1033.5. See also Civil Code section 1717 re award of attorney fees in an action based on contract. I'd say if plaintiff got title to disputed real property quieted in his name, that he has prevailed, even though he failed to establish that you committed all those other sins he alleged. If you are representing yourself, ask the judge to explain his or her ruling.

I agree with Mr. Whipple that you are not the prevailing party. However, from the information you provide I do not see any basis for an award of attorneys fees. In fact, if they based their claim for attorneys fees on the contract, and you prevailed on the breach of contract cause of action, you should consider filing your own attorneys fees claim.

I couldn't tell you whether they were entitled to attorney's fees or not unless I knew whether there was a contractual provision for them that was the subject of the declaratory relief cause of action, or any specific statute that was litigated.