Michael and Sara Willens v. Joel Willens and Linda Willens

Michael Willens and his wife Sara own a home on Canopy Oaks Drive in Jacksonville, and they invited Michael’s parents to live there rent free. The parents moved in, the relationship deteriorated, and everyone ended up in litigation. After a two-day bench trial, the trial court entered a final judgment declaring that the parents “are entitled to live in the home for as long as they like.” This is the Willenses’ appeal.*

The facts that led to the final judgment, many of which were disputed, are complicated and peculiar. The short version is that the Willenses recognized the parents’ financial…