Inherited a House With Siblings? Know Your Rights | California Guide
Inherited a House With Siblings? Know Your Rights: What Happens When One Sibling Wants to Sell
When Siblings Inherit a House Together, Inherit a Home, or Inherit Property: What Will Happen to the Property When Siblings Disagree, One Sibling Lives in the Family Home, and You Must Decide Whether to Keep the House, Keep the Home in the Family, or Sell the House.
A California Guide to Inheriting a House With Siblings, Inheriting a Home With Siblings, Property Tax, Your Inheritance, and Your Rights as a Co-Owner of an Inherited House With a Sibling
Quick answer: When siblings inherit a house in California, they usually become co-owners, most often as tenants in common. Each sibling owns a share of the whole property, and each has equal rights to use it. No single sibling can sell the entire house alone. But no sibling can block a sale forever, either.
If the siblings can’t agree, any co-owner can generally file a partition action under Code of Civil Procedure section 872.210. Since 2023, California’s Partition of Real Property Act usually gives the siblings who want to keep the home a chance to buy out the one who wants to sell, at a court-determined fair market value.
Before any of that, the estate may need to go through probate or trust administration. And taxes matter a lot, including the step-up in basis for capital gains and Proposition 19 for property tax.
Losing a parent is hard enough. Then comes the house. One sibling wants to move in. Another needs the cash. A third won’t return calls. Suddenly the family home that held every holiday dinner becomes the center of a fight nobody wanted.
This guide walks you through what really happens when you inherit a house with brothers and sisters in California:
- your legal rights as an heir and co-owner
- how probate and trusts affect timing
- how to handle taxes on an inherited house
- what to do when one sibling lives there
- your options when siblings can’t agree
We are the attorneys at Martinez Law Center in Santa Ana. We handle inherited property disputes, partition actions, quiet title matters, and tenant-side eviction defense across Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego. We wrote this for families who want answers before anyone signs anything.
Three things to know before you read further:
- Nobody gets to decide alone. Every sibling on title shares the property, and no one can sell the whole house without the others or a court order.
- The law offers a way out. When siblings cannot agree, a partition action can force a buyout or sale, but the process protects the siblings who want to keep the home.
- Taxes can make or break the decision. The step-up in basis, Proposition 19, and the timing of a sale can swing the numbers by tens of thousands of dollars.
What Happens When I Inherit a House With My Siblings? Your Legal Rights When Siblings Inherit Property Together
When siblings inherit a house, the property is usually distributed to them in equal or stated shares. Once the property is distributed, each sibling owns an undivided share of the whole house. There’s no “your bedroom” and “my garage.” Everyone owns a piece of everything.
In most cases, heirs hold inherited real estate as tenants in common. That means:
- Each sibling can own a different percentage. For example, 50%, 25%, and 25% if the will or trust says so.
- Each has equal rights to use the entire property, no matter the percentage.
- Each can sell or pass on their own share, but not the whole house.
- There’s no right of survivorship. If one sibling dies, their share goes to their own heirs, not to the other siblings.
The Three Big Decisions
Once the dust settles, every family faces the same three choices:
- Keep the property together, maybe as a family retreat or a rental property.
- Sell the property and divide the proceeds.
- Buy each other out, so one sibling ends up owning the whole house.
When the siblings agree, any of these can work smoothly. When they don’t, the problems start. And they often start quietly: a missed tax bill, an unanswered text, a sibling who “just moved in for a while.”
Your Legal Rights as a Co-Owner
As a co-owner, you generally have the right to:
- use and enter the property
- receive your share of any rental income
- have your share of the property respected in any sale
- ask a court for partition if agreement fails
You also have duties. That includes contributing your fair share toward the mortgage, property taxes, and insurance, or accepting that another sibling who paid more may get credit later.
Does an Inherited House With Siblings Have to Go Through Probate? Will, Trust, or No Estate Plan
Whether the house has to go through probate depends almost entirely on how your parent held title and what kind of estate plan they left.
If There’s a Living Trust
If the house was titled in a revocable living trust, it usually avoids probate. The successor trustee manages the property, pays bills, and eventually distributes it or sells it, following the trust’s terms. The trust may even include special instructions, like a right of first refusal letting one sibling buy the home first.
If There’s a Will but No Trust
A will alone doesn’t avoid probate. The executor files a petition in superior court, gets appointed, notifies heirs and creditors, and manages the estate. California probate commonly takes about a year and often longer. Only when the court approves distribution do the siblings receive title.
If There’s No Will
When a parent dies without a will, California’s intestate succession rules (Probate Code section 6402) decide who inherits. If there’s no surviving spouse, the children usually inherit equally. The estate still goes through probate, with an administrator instead of an executor.
Smaller Estates
California has simplified procedures for smaller estates, and recent changes allow a streamlined court petition for some primary residences up to a set value. Thresholds change over time, so check current limits with an attorney before assuming you qualify.
Other Ways Title Passes
A home held in joint tenancy, or through a transfer on death deed, can pass outside probate. Even then, paperwork is required to clear the title. An old deed that still shows your late parent’s name can become a real headache later, sometimes even requiring a quiet title action to fix.
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How Long After I Inherit a House Can I Sell It? When You Can Sell the Property and Sell an Inherited House Wisely
There’s no mandatory waiting period in California. You can sell an inherited house as soon as someone has legal authority to sign the deed. Who that is depends on the stage:
- During probate: the executor or administrator can often sell the house. With full authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act, they can usually sell after giving heirs a Notice of Proposed Action. Otherwise, the court must confirm the sale.
- During trust administration: the successor trustee can usually sell right away if the trust allows it.
- After distribution: once the siblings hold title, all of them must sign to sell the house, or a court must order the sale.
Is Selling Quickly Smart?
Often, yes. Because of the step-up in basis, explained below, selling soon after the death usually means little or no capital gain. The longer you wait, the more any new appreciation becomes taxable. And the more carrying costs pile up: mortgage payments, insurance, property taxes, and repairs.
That said, a quick sale isn’t always right. If one sibling wants to keep the home, or the market is soft, waiting may make sense. The key is that everyone agrees on the plan and the timeline in writing.
Can a Sibling Force the Sale of Inherited Property? What Happens When One Sibling Wants to Sell
Yes, in most cases. Once the siblings hold title, one sibling who wants to sell can generally ask a court to partition the property. Code of Civil Procedure section 872.710 treats partition as a right, unless the co-owners waived it by agreement. So a sibling who wants out usually can’t be locked in forever.
But a Sale Isn’t Automatic
California’s Partition of Real Property Act, effective January 1, 2023, was modeled on the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act. It was designed to protect families from losing inherited homes in rushed sales. In most cases:
- The court determines the home’s fair market value, often through an independent appraisal.
- Siblings who didn’t request the sale can elect to buy out the sibling who wants to sell at that value. The window to make this election is generally 45 days after the court’s notice.
- If nobody buys, the property is usually listed on the open market with a licensed broker, not dumped at auction.
Before Probate Ends
While the estate is still in probate or trust administration, the siblings usually don’t hold title yet. So a partition action generally isn’t the right tool yet. Disputes at that stage go through the probate court instead. The executor or trustee’s powers, and the heirs’ right to object, control what happens.
What Happens If One Sibling Doesn’t Want to Sell Your House? When a Sibling Wants to Keep the House and One Sibling Buys Out the Rest
When one sibling wants to keep the house and the others want to sell, there are really only three ways it ends:
- A buyout. The sibling who wants to keep the home pays the others their share.
- A voluntary sale. The siblings eventually agree to sell.
- A court-ordered partition. The judge decides how the property is divided or sold.
How a Buyout Usually Works
In a typical buyout, one sibling buys the others’ shares at an agreed price, often based on a recent appraisal. Here’s a simple example with three siblings:
- The home appraises at $900,000.
- Each sibling owns one-third.
- The sibling who stays would owe each of the other two about $300,000, adjusted for credits and debts like an existing mortgage.
Financing is usually the hurdle. The buying sibling may need a cash-out refinance or a new loan. Lenders will look at their income and credit like any other borrower.
One more tax point: transfers between siblings generally don’t qualify for California’s parent-child property tax exclusion. So buying out a sibling’s share may trigger reassessment of that portion.
When No One Can Afford to Buy
If the sibling who wants to keep the house can’t raise the money, the practical answer is often a sale. It’s painful, but hanging on to an asset nobody can afford usually ends worse: missed payments, liens, and a forced sale on worse terms.
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How Long Can a Beneficiary Stop the Sale of a Property? Timelines If You Want to Keep the House
The honest answer: a beneficiary can usually delay a sale, but rarely stop it permanently. How long the delay lasts depends on the stage.
During Probate
When an executor gives a Notice of Proposed Action to sell, a beneficiary generally has at least 15 days to object. An objection doesn’t kill the sale. It forces the executor to get court approval, which can add weeks or months. A beneficiary can also bid at a court confirmation hearing, which sometimes lets a family member who wants to keep the home overbid an outside buyer.
During Trust Administration
If the trust gives the trustee power to sell, a beneficiary usually can’t veto the sale outright. But a beneficiary can petition the probate court, often under Probate Code section 17200, to challenge the trustee’s conduct, seek instructions, or ask the court to block a sale that breaches the trustee’s duties.
After the Siblings Own the House
Once the siblings hold title, a sibling who refuses to sell can slow things down but usually can’t stop a partition. The biggest real protection is the buyout right. If you want to keep the house, the 45-day election window after the court’s notice is your moment, so line up financing early.
How to Divide Inherited Property Between Siblings? Options When You Inherit a Home With Siblings
Here are your main options when you inherit property with brothers and sisters, from simplest to most involved.
Sell the House and Split the Proceeds
For many families, the cleanest path is to sell the house and split the net proceeds according to each sibling’s share. Everyone gets cash, the carrying costs stop, and nobody has to manage a property together for years.
One Sibling Buys Out the Others
When one sibling truly wants the home and can afford it, a buyout keeps the house in the family. Get a neutral appraisal and put the deal in writing. Make sure the deed and any refinance are handled properly.
Keep It and Rent the Property
Some families decide to rent the property and share the income. That can work, but only with clear rules. Who manages it? Who approves repairs? How is income split? Many families hire a professional property manager so no sibling becomes the unpaid landlord. Put everything into a written co-ownership agreement.
Partition in Kind
Rarely, land can be physically divided. For example, a large parcel might be split into separate lots. For a single-family home, that almost never works.
What Each Sibling Gets in the End
However you divide it, what the siblings get isn’t always an equal split of the sale price. Credits and debits matter:
- the mortgage balance
- who paid property taxes
- who covered repairs
- whether one sibling lived there
A fair division accounts for all of it.
Can One Sibling Live in an Inherited House Rent-Free? What the Occupying Sibling Owes When One Sibling Lives in the Family Home
This is one of the most common flashpoints we see. It usually starts innocently. A sibling was the parent’s caregiver and simply never moved out. Or a sibling between jobs moves in “temporarily.”
Can They Live in the House?
Generally yes. Every co-owner has equal rights to use the entire property, so one sibling can usually live in the house without automatically owing rent to the others. California law doesn’t generally require an occupying co-owner to pay rent just for living there.
When Things Change
The picture shifts in a few situations:
- Ouster. If the occupying sibling locks out or excludes the others, they may owe the others the fair rental value of their shares.
- Rent from third parties. If the sibling rents out rooms, that income is generally shared.
- Partition accounting. In a partition case, the court can do a fair accounting under Code of Civil Procedure section 872.140. The value of exclusive use may be weighed against the mortgage, taxes, and repairs the occupying sibling paid.
Practical Advice for Everyone
If one sibling lives in the house, write down the deal:
- Is it rent-free?
- Who pays the mortgage and utilities?
- How long can they stay?
A one-page agreement signed early can prevent years of fighting. It also protects the occupying sibling from later claims that they owed rent all along.
Do I Have to Pay Capital Gains Tax on Property Inherited With Siblings?
Usually less than people fear, and sometimes none at all. The key is the step-up in basis under federal tax law (Internal Revenue Code section 1014).
How the Step-Up Works
When you inherit a property, your tax basis is generally the home’s fair market value on the date your parent died, not what your parent paid decades ago. Here’s an example:
- Mom bought the house for $80,000 in 1985.
- It was worth $850,000 when she died.
- You and your siblings sell it a few months later for $860,000.
Your taxable gain is based on about $10,000, not $780,000. Selling costs like commissions can reduce the gain even further, sometimes to zero or a loss.
Each Sibling Reports Their Share
When inherited property among siblings is sold, each sibling generally reports their share of the gain or loss on their own tax return. Inherited property is typically treated as long-term, no matter how soon you sell.
California taxes capital gains as regular income, so your state rate depends on your total income.
A Bonus for Community Property
If your parents owned the home as community property and one parent died first, the surviving parent may have received a full step-up on the whole house. That can mean an even lower gain when the children eventually inherit and sell. Details matter here, so work with a tax professional.
Rear End Collision
What Is the 2 Year Rule for Inherited Property? Should You Live in the House First?
The “2 year rule” people talk about usually refers to the federal home sale exclusion (Internal Revenue Code section 121). If you own and live in a home as your main residence for at least two of the five years before selling, you can generally exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Does It Apply to Inherited Homes?
It can. If a sibling moves into an inherited home, makes it their main residence, and meets the two-year test, they may be able to use the exclusion on their share of the gain. That mostly means gain that built up after the inheritance, since the step-up already wiped out the earlier growth.
Common Misunderstandings
- There’s no rule that you must wait two years to sell. You can sell right away.
- Proposition 19 is different. For property tax purposes, a child generally must make the home their principal residence within one year, not two, to keep a parent’s lower assessed value.
If you’re weighing whether to live in an inherited home before selling, run the numbers with a tax professional first.
How to Avoid Capital Gains on an Inherited House? Smart Moves Before You Sell an Inherited Property
You can’t always avoid capital gains tax, but you can often shrink it. Some strategies to discuss with your tax advisor:
- Get a date-of-death appraisal. This locks in your stepped-up basis with solid proof. Without it, you may struggle to defend your numbers later.
- Sell sooner rather than later. Less time means less new appreciation to tax.
- Track selling costs. Commissions, escrow fees, and qualifying repairs made to sell the property can reduce your gain.
- Use the home sale exclusion. A sibling who lives there two of five years may be able to exclude some gain.
- Consider a 1031 exchange. If the siblings hold the home as a rental or investment, they may be able to defer gains by exchanging into other investment property. The rules are strict and co-ownership complicates them.
- Track improvements. Documented capital improvements made after the inheritance add to your basis.
None of this is one-size-fits-all. Each sibling’s tax picture is different, so the best move for one may not be best for another.
Will the Property Tax Go Up? Prop 19 Rules for Inheriting a Home With Siblings
For many California families, property tax is the real surprise. Under the old rules, children could often keep a parent’s low Proposition 13 assessment on the family home. Proposition 19 changed that for transfers on or after February 16, 2021.
The Current Rules in Brief
- Only the family home qualifies for the parent-child exclusion. Rentals and vacation homes are generally reassessed.
- A child must make it their principal residence, generally within one year, and file for the homeowners’ exemption.
- A value cap applies. Roughly the first $1 million of value above the old assessed value is protected, and that figure adjusts every two years. Value beyond that can be added to the assessment.
Why This Matters for Siblings
If no sibling moves in, the home is usually reassessed to current market value. That can multiply the annual tax bill. And if siblings plan a buyout, a sibling-to-sibling transfer generally doesn’t qualify for the parent-child exclusion. Deadlines for claim forms are also important.
Talk to a tax professional and contact your county assessor before making decisions. For many families, this single issue decides whether they keep the house or sell it.
What Happens to the Mortgage on an Inherited House With a Sibling?
The loan doesn’t disappear when your parent dies. If you inherit a house with a mortgage, the debt stays attached to the property.
The Good News
Federal law (the Garn-St Germain Act) generally stops lenders from calling the loan due just because the home passed to a relative after death. The siblings can usually keep making payments on the existing loan. Lenders must also treat qualified heirs as “successors in interest,” giving them access to loan information.
The Risks
- Missed payments hurt everyone. If mortgage payments stop, the lender can foreclose, and every sibling’s equity shrinks.
- Reverse mortgages are different. If your parent had a reverse mortgage, the loan usually comes due at death. Heirs typically must repay it, often by selling or refinancing, within set time limits. Contact the loan servicer quickly.
- Who pays matters later. A sibling who covers more than their share of the mortgage may seek credit if the house is later sold or partitioned. Keep records of every payment.
Can Siblings Make a Claim on an Estate? Contesting a Will or Trust
Yes, in certain situations. A sibling who believes they were unfairly cut out, or that a will or trust is invalid, may challenge it. Common grounds include:
- Undue influence. For example, a caregiver sibling pressured a parent to change the will.
- Lack of capacity. The parent didn’t understand what they were signing.
- Fraud or forgery.
- Improper execution. For example, a will that wasn’t properly witnessed.
Deadlines Are Short
In California, a will contest after probate admission generally must be filed within 120 days. Trust contests are also generally limited to 120 days after the trustee serves the required notice. Miss those windows and the right to challenge may be gone.
No-Contest Clauses
Many wills and trusts include a “no-contest” clause, which can disinherit anyone who challenges the document. Under California law, these clauses usually apply only when a contest lacks probable cause. Get advice before filing.
When Siblings Inherit From Each Other
A person’s siblings generally inherit from them only if there’s no surviving spouse, children, or parents. When a brother or sister dies without a will, that can suddenly make you an heir to another sibling‘s estate.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Sibling Inheritance Disputes? Why Siblings Disagree
After years of watching families work through this, we see the same triggers again and again:
- One sibling lives there and the others don’t. Resentment builds on both sides.
- Money needs differ. One sibling needs cash now. Another wants to hold for appreciation.
- Emotional attachment. The family home carries memories, and selling can feel like losing the parent again.
- Caregiver imbalance. The sibling who cared for Mom or Dad feels they deserve more.
- Unequal contributions. One sibling pays the taxes and repairs, and the others don’t.
- Distrust of the executor or trustee. Especially when that person is one of the siblings.
- Vague estate planning. Leaving the house “to my children equally” with no instructions invites conflict.
When two siblings are at odds, it’s hard. When three siblings or more are involved, alliances form and decisions stall. With multiple siblings, a single holdout can freeze everything.
What to Do When Siblings Fight Over Inheritance? Practical Steps for Inheriting a House With Siblings
Here’s a practical approach we recommend before anyone heads to court.
Step 1: Get the Facts in Writing
Order a copy of the deed, the trust or will, the mortgage statement, the property tax bill, and a current appraisal. When everyone works from the same numbers, arguments shrink.
Step 2: Put Offers on Paper
Whether it’s a buyout, a listing plan, or a rental arrangement, write it down with dates and dollar amounts. Verbal promises between siblings tend to evaporate.
Step 3: Try Mediation
A neutral mediator can help siblings talk through money and emotion without the costs of litigation. In California, what’s said in mediation generally stays confidential, which encourages honest negotiation.
Step 4: Keep Records
Save every receipt, bank statement, and invoice for payments you make on the property. If a partition case happens later, those records can earn you credit.
Step 5: Get Independent Advice
Even when things feel friendly, each sibling benefits from understanding their own rights. We regularly help families handle inherited property before disputes harden. When siblings reach an agreement early, everyone usually keeps more of the equity.
What If a Sibling Won’t Cooperate With Inheritance? Partition Options If You Want to Sell
Sometimes a sibling simply stops cooperating. They won’t sign, won’t answer, won’t leave, or won’t pay. Here’s what you can do, depending on the stage.
If the Estate Is Still Open
The executor or trustee usually has authority to act without every heir’s signature. If that person is the uncooperative sibling, beneficiaries can ask the probate court to compel action, account for funds, or even remove and replace the fiduciary.
If the Siblings Already Own the House
When the property is distributed and a sibling refuses to cooperate, the main legal tool is a partition action. Here’s how it typically works:
- The court determines each sibling’s interest in the property.
- The court sets fair market value, often through an appraisal.
- Siblings who didn’t request the sale may elect to buy out the one who did.
- If no buyout happens, a court-appointed referee generally oversees an open-market sale of the property.
- An accounting settles who paid what before money is divided.
Partition costs, including common-benefit attorney fees, are usually shared among the co-owners by their percentages.
If Title Itself Is in Doubt
If a sibling claims a bigger share, recorded a questionable deed, or a missing heir appears, the family may need a quiet title action to settle ownership of the property before any partition or sale. Clearing title first prevents a deal from collapsing in escrow.
What Is the Most Common Inheritance Mistake? How an Estate Plan Can Prevent Disputes Among Siblings
If we had to name one, it’s this: leaving a house to several children with no plan for what happens next. Parents often assume the kids will “work it out.” Many do. Many don’t.
Other common mistakes include:
- Signing a quitclaim too fast. A sibling signs away their share of an inherited home for far less than it’s worth, or without understanding the tax consequences.
- Skipping the appraisal. Without a date-of-death value, siblings argue about price and lose tax evidence.
- Missing Prop 19 deadlines. A sibling moves in but never files the claim.
- Letting bills slide. Unpaid taxes or insurance put the whole property at risk.
- Moving in without a written agreement. A sibling moves in and assumes they’ll never owe anything.
A Better Plan for Parents
If you’re a parent reading this, your estate plan can prevent the fight entirely. You can:
- direct the trustee to sell and distribute cash
- give a specific child the right to buy at appraised value
- spell out how an occupying child pays expenses
Clear instructions make it far easier for siblings to agree, and far harder for a disagreement to turn into litigation.
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Can You Rent the Property Instead? What Heirs Should Know About Existing Tenants
Some families inherit a home that already has tenants, or they decide to rent it out rather than sell. Before making decisions, understand this: tenants generally keep their rights when a property changes hands through inheritance.
- An existing lease usually stays in effect after the owner dies.
- Many California renters are protected by just-cause eviction rules under the Tenant Protection Act.
- Some cities add local rent control and relocation rules on top.
Heirs step into the owner’s shoes, subject to those protections.
A note about our practice: we stand with tenants, not landlords. If you’re a renter whose landlord has died, or whose building is caught in a sibling dispute, you may be facing:
- conflicting rent demands
- pressure to move out
- a sudden eviction notice
Keep paying rent as required and keep records. If you’re served with an unlawful detainer, act fast, because the response deadline is short. We defend tenants in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego.
What Will Happen to the Property If Siblings Get Nowhere? Talk to a California Partition Attorney
If you’re a co-owner of inherited property with siblings, you don’t have to accept a stalemate. The law gives every co-owner tools:
- a buyout
- a negotiated sale
- mediation
- when needed, a partition action that protects your fair share
And when siblings cannot agree, the sooner you understand your position, the more options you usually keep.
Contact Martinez Law Center to schedule a consultation. We help families throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego with inherited property disputes, partition actions, quiet title matters, and tenant eviction defense.
- Phone: 714-442-9741
- Santa Ana office: 600 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Suite 960 C, Santa Ana, CA 92701
- Long Beach office: 425 E 4th St, Suite A, Long Beach, CA 90802
- Website: martinezlawcenter.com
- Email: mark@martinezlawcenter.com
Bring the will or trust, the deed, mortgage statements, tax bills, and records of anything you’ve paid since your parent passed.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change, and every family’s situation is different. Please consult a licensed California attorney and a qualified tax professional about your specific situation.
Summary: What to Remember When You Inherit Property With Siblings
- Siblings usually become tenants in common. Each owns a share of the whole property, with equal rights to use it. No one can sell the entire house alone.
- Probate or trust administration comes first. A trust usually avoids probate. A will or no will usually means court probate, which often takes a year or more.
- You can sell as soon as someone has authority. There’s no required waiting period, and selling sooner often means lower taxes.
- A sibling can usually force a sale, but not cheaply. Under the Partition of Real Property Act, siblings who want to keep the home generally get a chance to buy out the one who wants to sell, at appraised value.
- Living there isn’t automatically rent-free trouble. An occupying sibling generally doesn’t owe rent unless they exclude the others, but expenses and exclusive use can be weighed in an accounting.
- The step-up in basis is your friend. Capital gains are usually measured from the date-of-death value, not what your parent paid.
- The “2 year rule” is about the home sale exclusion, not a waiting period to sell.
- Proposition 19 can raise property taxes unless a child makes the family home their principal residence, and a value cap applies.
- Keep paying the mortgage. Heirs generally can keep the existing loan, but missed payments put everyone’s equity at risk.
- Estate contests have short deadlines, often 120 days.
- Clear estate planning prevents most fights. Parents who leave written instructions spare their children years of conflict.