“Vivian cannot leave it to Celeste.”
“And neither of them can treat it as though your interest is some future possibility dependent on their approval.”
He tapped the trust.
“Edwin already made the decision.”
I felt sick.
“What happens to Vivian?”
“Nothing, assuming she complied with the occupancy terms.”
That word changed everything.
Assuming.
Marcus ordered a title review.
Then tax records.
Then insurance history.
Then trustee correspondence.
The results were worse than either of us expected.
After Edwin’s death, Vivian had attempted to take out a substantial line of credit using the property.
The lender had relied on incomplete documentation and a title certification that was now being disputed.
She had fallen behind on property taxes.
