Chapter 17 - My capacity evaluation
Victor petitioned for temporary financial guardianship.
That hurt.
His lawyers argued:
Recent spinal infection.
Pain medication.
Possible cognitive changes.
Unusual secrecy.
Erratic financial decisions.
Large charitable commitments.
Suspicion toward adult children.
He also claimed the checking-account transfer had been part of a family reorganization I had forgotten authorizing.
So:
Maybe Mom consented and forgot.
Dangerous theory.
I underwent independent neuropsychological evaluation.
Memory.
Executive function.
Financial reasoning.
Medication review.
The evaluator asked:
“How much money do you have?”
I said:
“That depends on whether you mean personally owned assets, trust beneficial interests, or liquidity.”
She smiled.
Good sign.
I explained the trust.
The checking account.
The wire dispute.
The warehouse.
Then she asked:
“Could your anger at Victor and Claire influence financial decisions?”
“Yes.”
“Does that concern you?”
“Yes.”
“What do you do about it?”
“Use Fairfield.”
That answer mattered.
Her conclusion:
No evidence of dementia.
No delirium.
No global incapacity.
Pain and stress present.
Financial understanding intact.
Guardianship petition failed.
Victor paid his own legal fees.
May you like
The trust did not.
Important.
