Chapter 22 - THE LAST OFFER BEFORE JUDGMENT
Sancia offered to concede.
Sale contract invalid.
No authority.
Title clear.
She would pay $9,000 toward Eleanor’s legal and transaction costs.
In exchange:
No written finding that she breached fiduciary duty.
Why did that matter?
Future professional licensing? She worked in corporate operations, not fiduciary field. Reputation.
Family.
She did not want a court document saying:
Breach.
Eleanor considered.
Then asked me:
“What do you want?”
Dangerous question.
I wanted the finding.
I wanted paper.
I wanted Sancia unable to rewrite history later.
Then I asked:
“What do you want?”
Eleanor:
“I want my house left alone.”
The settlement would do that.
Naomi said:
“A finding can protect against future disputes, but revocation and professional control already do much.”
Then Sancia added:
She would agree never to act as Eleanor’s financial agent again.
Good.
No estate conditions.
No rent conditions.
No forced sale.
Then why not settle?
One issue.
Legal costs.
Her offer covered part.
Eleanor had spent roughly $21,000 because of the attempted transaction and resulting litigation.
Who pays?
Sancia offered $9,000.
Eleanor wanted $15,000.
Not fortune.
Still.
Then I caught myself wanting trial because I wanted Sancia declared wrong.
Not because Eleanor needed it.
I told Mother:
“If you want settlement, I won’t push for hearing.”
Eleanor looked at me for a long time.
Then:
“I want the hearing.”
Her choice.
Why?
“Because I want a judge to say whether my agent could decide I would agree later.”
Good.
Not punishment.
May you like
Authority.
Hearing stayed.
