Chapter 21 - THE TITLE HEARING
The civil property hearing focused on one question:
What authority did Sancia have when she signed the sale contract?
Her lawyer argued:
Eleanor had told Sancia to “explore moving options” and “do what needs to be done if the house becomes too much.”
True phrases.
Then:
Eleanor appointed Sancia financial agent.
True.
Then:
Sancia reasonably believed sale preparation fell within property management.
Maybe preparation.
But signing a sale contract?
The POA explicitly required written approval.
Then title company testimony.
“We had not cleared authority.”
“Would you have closed without full POA and owner approval?”
“No.”
Good.
Then Harbor Ridge.
“We considered contract contingent.”
No damages claimed.
Then Sancia.
“I believed Mom would sign once she saw numbers.”
There.
So she knew she did not yet have approval.
“Why sign first?”
“To lock the price.”
“Why prepare Radnor’s notice?”
“Vacant possession increased certainty.”
“Did Eleanor authorize eviction?”
“No.”
Then:
“Why tell Owen the house was yours to manage?”
“I was agent.”
“Did that mean owner?”
“No.”
Good.
Then:
“Did you tell family you could evict Radnor?”
“Yes.”
“Could you, contrary to Eleanor’s instructions?”
“No.”
There.
Then the incomplete POA upload.
“Why omit Section 7?”
“I uploaded pages I thought relevant.”
Section 7 contained sale restriction.
Very relevant.
“Did title company ask for the rest?”
“Yes.”
“Did you provide?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I knew Mom was wavering.”
There.
Not innocent clerical omission.
Then:
“Was your plan to complete the sale before Eleanor came home?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
“Why?”
“Because once she went back, Radnor would make leaving emotionally impossible.”
There.
Again.
May you like
Sancia thought she could preempt her mother’s attachment.
The case was almost decided in that sentence.
