Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

If your parents intended to make a gift to you of this money, then your father cannot take it back. In addition, if it was not a gift then why was the money placed in your name? If your father has been living "rent free" for 6+ years, it doesn't seem fair that he should get 100% of his money back (assuming it was not a gift). He should owe as an offset something for his room and board for living with you all these years. But if it wasn't intended to be a gift and you really were holding it for your parents in almost a trust like arrangement, then why would you be entitled to keep the money? If it wasn't a gift, then you owe something back, but figuring out just what is fair can be difficult, particularly with real estate prices dropping.

Perhaps your father is looking for security by knowing he'll have a place to live for as long as possible. You might consult with an attorney if that would work -- perhaps by giving him a life tenancy in your house.

I agree with Robert - what is it that your father really wants? Once you get to the bottom of that issue it will be easier to come up with a solution. If the money was really a gift than your father is not entitled to get it back. If it was not a gift, it could be looked at as many different things - a loan, advance payment of rent, board and care, etc. It could also be argued to have been given to you in trust. If you can, the best thing to do is first sit down with your father and see what he really wants. Unless it is a tremendous amount of money, which I am guessing it is not, using lawyers to figure out what is going on could cost significantly more than it is worth.