Chapter 7 - The Trust
Grandma Ruth had owned a small farm outside Dayton that developers had been trying to buy for years.
After her death, Dad told us the property was tied up in probate.
That was apparently not true.
Megan found the trust filing within an hour.
The land had been transferred into the Ruth Coleman Descendant Trust.
The beneficiary was "the youngest living great-grandchild at the time of final distribution."
That was Emma.
Estimated value after a pending development offer: $1.6 million.
I stared at the number.
"Lauren has three children. Why wouldn't one of them be included?"
Megan scrolled.
"They received separate education accounts years ago. Your grandmother apparently wanted this property preserved for the next child born after the trust was created."
Emma had been born eleven days after Grandma signed it.
James leaned back.
"If Rachel were ruled incapable and I were deployed, whoever controlled Emma's guardianship could influence the trust."
"Not own it," Megan said. "But control decisions, expenses, petitions. Enough to create opportunities for abuse."
My phone buzzed with another message from Mom.
I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE MONEY UNTIL AFTER I SIGNED.
I called immediately.
"What did you sign?"
Mom cried so hard I could barely understand her.
"Lauren said it was just a family care plan. She said James wanted backup because of his deployment."
"What did you sign?"
"A statement about you."
My skin went cold.
"What statement?"
"That you had trouble coping after Emma was born."
James closed his eyes.
"Mom, did you say I was unsafe?"
"No. Not exactly."
"Read me what you signed."
Paper rustled on her end.
Then she stopped crying.
"Rachel..."
"Read it."
Her voice became almost inaudible.
"I believe my daughter may be unable to provide consistent care without supervision."
I couldn't speak.
May you like
Then Mom whispered one more thing.
"Lauren already gave it to a lawyer."
