Chapter 12 - Warren’s letter
Warren left letters.
Too many.
He was sentimental after cancer.
Rachel kept one addressed to me concerning the trust.
I had read it once.
Four years later, I read it again.
Evelyn,
If the children ever start treating trust money like a vote, stop them early.
Victor will want control because he thinks competence creates entitlement.
Claire will want equality measured in dollars because she notices every imbalance.
Eli will reject things he should accept because he hates owing anyone.
You will tell yourself you can manage all three by saying less.
That last part is your problem.
I stopped.
Dead husbands should not be allowed to remain accurate.
Then:
The trust is not a reward for good children and it is not a weapon against bad ones.
It is a structure.
Use the independent trustee.
Do not turn yourself into the family judge.
I looked at Rachel.
“He knew.”
“He knew personalities.”
“He also knew me.”
“Yes.”
I read the last paragraph.
If coercion ever enters the picture, use the protections we paid too many lawyers to draft. Then step back and let evidence do its job.
I laughed.
Rachel said:
“What?”
“He also thinks lawyers cost too much.”
May you like
“Warren was frequently wrong.”
Good.
