Chapter 18 - Rachel’s house

First Ridge Trust now controlled Rachel’s house for Leo’s benefit under the testamentary trust.

Value:

$412,000.

Mortgage:

$96,000.

Could trust keep it?

Yes, if financially prudent.

Could Leo live there with me?

Potentially.

But I owned my own house three bedrooms, twenty-five minutes away.

Moving into Rachel’s home would:

Keep Leo in neighborhood.

Same bus route.

Same friends.

But trust would need to cover mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance or charge occupancy fairly depending terms.

First Ridge analyzed.

Rachel’s trust allowed housing expenditure for Leo and guardian if reasonably necessary.

Trustee proposed:

Leo and I could occupy the home.

Trust pays mortgage/taxes from trust income/principal.

I pay utilities and a modest monthly household contribution.

Major improvements trustee approval.

Could I benefit unfairly?

Potentially.

So independent trust committee reviewed.

Alternative:

Sell house, invest proceeds, Leo stays with me.

Leo wanted the house.

I did not.

Too many memories.

Then I realized my preference was not automatically his.

We tried three months occupancy.

My own house rented out short-term? Better avoid complication. I kept it vacant initially.

Marcus had moved already.

We entered Rachel’s house after estate inventory.

Leo went straight to his bedroom.

I stood in the kitchen.

Her mug still in cabinet.

Her handwriting on freezer labels.

Grief attacked through ordinary objects.

Then Leo said:

“Can we stay?”

I said:

“For now.”

No forever.

Then Marcus requested to retrieve remaining personal property.

List.

Tools.

Clothing.

Photos.

Wedding gifts.

No fights over televisions.

One dispute:

Rachel’s navy dress.

It belonged to estate as personal property.

I wanted to preserve it.

Marcus wanted nothing to do with it.

Leo said:

“Don’t throw it away.”

We stored it professionally after funeral.

No hidden second device.

No extra clue sewn into another pocket.

One phone was enough.

Then black phone.

Estate retained forensic image.

Original device eventually stored with Laura pending case closure.

No need for Leo to keep it.

He asked:

“Can I have it when I’m older?”

I said:

“Maybe.”

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