Chapter 11 - REBECCA DID NOT GIVE ME CONTROL EITHER
I disliked one part of Rebecca’s trust.
I could not control it.
That realization embarrassed me.
For days I had been furious at Celeste for treating Sophie’s money like family property.
Then Harbor Fiduciary declined one of my requests.
I asked the trust to reimburse Sophie’s private preschool tuition for the year.
The trust officer said:
“Possibly, but Daniel, can you afford tuition from ordinary income?”
“Yes.”
“Then Rebecca’s letter of wishes recommends preserving trust assets where ordinary parental obligations are comfortably affordable.”
I felt offended.
“She’s my daughter.”
“Yes.”
“I’m the father.”
“Yes.”
“And strangers decide?”
“The trustee administers the trust Rebecca created.”
There.
Control felt different when I was the one denied it.
That was useful.
I withdrew the request.
Then Sophie’s therapy.
Trust reimbursement approved because treatment arose from trauma and the instrument expressly permitted mental-health care.
Fine.
Not because I commanded.
Because fiduciary rules applied.
I told my attorney:
“I hate this structure.”
He smiled.
“Then it may be doing its job.”
Rebecca had not trusted me less.
May you like
She had trusted adulthood less.
Fair.
