Q: What are the laws on squatters rights?
I was recently was asked to leave the house I am living in with my boyfriend and dog. We have been living here for about 4 years and have demanded to leave ammediagly with no avocation and no place to go. What are the laws on this?? How much time do we have to find a place to live before we are kicked out on the street?
A: The property owner will have to serve you legal papers to begin the eviction process. If you are served with a summons and complaint, the summons will tell you how many days you have to file a responsive pleading. The process begins with service upon you by the property owner of a notice to vacate the promises, which will itself have a certain time within which you will be required to act. If you continue to stay at the property afterwards, then the property owner will have to file a complaint in court and then you will be served with the summons and complaint for unlawful detainer. After you are served with the summons and complaint, you will have at least five days within which to file your responsive pleading, called an answer, in your own defense. The whole process can take six months or more depending on the circumstances. You should have sufficient time to find another place to live if you start to search for other premises diligently. You should have begun doing this by now.
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