Property rights

What is the name of your state? California

My mother has lived with a friend for 29 years, they have purchased a home together 20+ years ago. Both names are on deed. (house is paid in full). My question is what rights does my mother have when she feels she is being forced to let the friends granddaughter live there?? The granddaughter, by the way, has stolen from them, numerous times, and beat them up and is just all around is a horrible person. My mother feels she is being forced out of her home because she refuses to live with the loser granddaughter. Please someone give me some advice I can pass on to my mother. I know she can say she dosen't want the granddaughter living there but should she get something in writing from an attorny, if that is possible??? Please help.

My response:

The "friend" (I'll call Tom) has every right to have anyone live there that he chooses. Tom's name is on the Deed, and there are obviously no contracts or Deed restrictions to having your Mom and Tom there as the only residents.

So, if your Mom doesn't like it, she can either stay and put up with it, or she can move out and sue Tom for "Partition" to force the sale of the home.

That's it. End of story.

IAAL