Neighbor Claims Granted Unlimited Use Of Driveway By Previous Owner.

Location: California

We recently purchased a triplex back in February. It needed a full renovation and our first tenant moved in back in October. We moved in last week.

The previous owner passed away almost 2 years ago.

Our neighbors have turned their home into two rentals. They live in the back. Therefore creating an entrance that utilizes our driveway.

Our problem is that they don't use their driveway. Instead when they and their tenants exit their home they use our driveway instead of walking down their concrete steps.

They filled in our land dividing our driveway and their property with concrete to make it easier to access our driveway. They also use our driveway to take their trash cans out instead of leaving them on the other side of their house in their driveway. All driveways are to the east of everyone's house.

Before we moved in they were parking in our driveway and would block the driveway from the street if no parking for their car on the street. They said they had permission from the previous owner.

Our driveway is literally used for their comings and goings for both units on their property.

We informed them that we'd be extending the fencing. They were upset and said they'd sue us for blocking access to our driveway since they have elderly parents.

Their son fell over a raised part in our driveway two days ago and wailed for three minutes before his parents could get him to get up. I'm concerned that if it was a more serious injury that they'd have sued or sought compensation through our insurance.

My question: Anyone can file a lawsuit. But can a court make us grant access for free use of our driveway?

Could I request that they sign something releasing us of liability if we decide to let them use it?