Very interesting situation: Need to evict family

[Kevin Tran]

Hi BP Cali friends.  I have an interesting situation that will probably end up with hiring a lawyer but I'd love to hear your advice if you're familiar with eviction laws in California.  So this isn't really my personal situation but I will explain it as if it were mine.

My father passed away just before Thanksgiving.  He owned a home in California in which he allowed his sister and family to reside rent-free for many many years.  In his will, he left the house to me.  Since his death, his sister has been angry and violent to me to the point we cannot be in the same room anymore.  She is demanding that I sign over the house to her.  I've decided once the estate matters are settled, I will sell the house. 

However, there is the matter of actually trying to get them out of the house.  She and her husband are in their 70's, and several other members of her family live in the house as well.  The ideal situation is to ask them to leave, and if they do not, evict them so I can repair any damages and sell the house.

Before I call up a lawyer, can y'all recommend any other course of action?  Thanks.

[Thomas S.]

You will need a lawyer, every state is different but the fact is since they did not pay rent I would hope the laws would consider them squatters and there is a way around having to evict. Your lawyer will know.

I would look into it now and have the costs to evict come out of the estate if possible. That way your sister would be covering a portion of her own eviction.