Co-owners and inherited houses
We inherited a house in Riverside County with my siblings, and I live out of state. How do we handle a dispute over it?
Based on an interview with Josué Cristóbal Guerrero, Founding Partner, recorded .
The short answer
You have exactly the same rights as a sibling who lives down the street. You probably will not be the one running the estate or trust from another state, so most out-of-state owners hire their own California lawyer to watch the process and protect their share.
If the estate or trust is still being handled
An out-of-state owner is rarely the administrator, executor or successor trustee, because the job is hard to do from a distance. A separate attorney can monitor the probate or trust administration on your behalf and tell you when something needs a response.
If it turns into a lawsuit
If the dispute is big enough, it becomes litigation and your interest is represented in court in the ordinary way. Most civil hearings now happen remotely, and your lawyer appears for you, so where you live is rarely the obstacle.
A case over the house is filed in the county where the house sits. Our Riverside County page lists which courthouse takes which community, including the change that took effect August 1, 2026. For a San Bernardino County house, see our Ontario office page.
- Code of Civil Procedure section 392. An action to recover real property or determine an interest in it is generally tried in the county where the property is located.
This answer is general information about California law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Deadlines and exceptions turn on your facts. Code sections were checked against California Legislative Information on November 4, 2026.
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