A writ of possession is a court order that directs an authorized officer, such as a sheriff or marshal, to give property to the person entitled to possess it. For a home, it may authorize the officer to remove an occupant after a court has decided that someone else has the right to live there.

In California Family Law

In a divorce or another family law case, a court may decide who can live in the family home or who should receive particular property. If the person who must leave or turn over property does not follow the court’s order, the person entitled to possession may seek enforcement. Depending on the order and local law, that enforcement may involve a writ of possession. The writ enforces the decision. It does not decide who owns the property or how it should be divided.