Chapter 12 - The guardianship threat
Denise did not immediately sue for guardianship.
She threatened it first.
Through counsel.
Her attorney sent Martin a letter raising concerns about:
Memory lapses.
Weight loss.
Isolation.
Erratic financial decisions.
Sudden revocation of previously trusted daughters’ access.
Influence by attorney.
Possible vulnerability to strangers, specifically “a young diner employee.”
Maya.
I became furious.
Martin said:
“Good.”
“What?”
“Anger means you understand what they’re doing.”
“They’re dragging Maya into it.”
“They are identifying a possible undue-influence narrative.”
“She paid for soup.”
“Exactly. Which is why we document the relationship.”
There was almost no relationship yet.
Fine.
Denise’s lawyer requested voluntary capacity evaluation before they pursued court relief.
I agreed.
Why?
Because hiding from evaluation would make the allegation stronger.
Neuropsychologist.
Geriatric physician.
Medication review.
Financial reasoning.
Memory testing.
I hated every minute.
The doctor asked:
“What is the approximate value of your assets?”
“Which assets?”
He smiled.
“Total.”
“Roughly fifty-two million gross across trust and personal holdings, depending on market day.”
“What is your monthly Social Security benefit?”
I answered.
“What is your daughter’s name?”
“Which daughter?”
Another smile.
I passed.
Not “perfect for seventy-two.”
Competent.
No evidence of dementia.
Some weight loss.
Mild depression related to family conflict and bereavement history.
No impaired financial capacity.
The guardianship threat weakened.
Then Denise claimed Martin had coached me.
The evaluator noted I sometimes disagreed with Martin in front of him.
May you like
That helped.
My argumentative personality finally produced a benefit.
