Chapter 6 - THE NOTICE TO VACATE
Sancia had also drafted a thirty-day notice.
My name.
Maelle listed as occupant.
Reason:
Owner intends to prepare property for disposition.
Signed:
Sancia Vale, attorney-in-fact for Eleanor Vale.
Not served yet.
That mattered.
The threat at the party:
"Touch me and get evicted!"
She had paperwork ready.
Then another draft.
MOVE-OUT INSPECTION.
Another:
PERSONAL PROPERTY INVENTORY.
Sancia was not improvising.
She expected us gone before Eleanor left rehab.
Naomi asked:
“Did Eleanor authorize any of this?”
“No.”
Then Eleanor’s response.
Not screaming.
Not tears.
She called her lawyer.
Revoked Sancia’s power of attorney.
Immediately effective upon delivery.
Appointed a professional fiduciary, Melissa Grant, for financial matters during rehabilitation.
Why not me?
I asked.
Eleanor stared.
“Because you threw a trash can at your sister.”
Fair.
Then:
“And because I don’t want either child controlling the other through my paperwork.”
Good.
Professional.
Boring.
Exactly what we needed.
The revocation went to:
Sancia.
Banks.
Insurance.
Title company.
Rehab.
Harbor Ridge.
The pending transaction froze immediately.
No closing.
No emergency injunction needed yet because title company would not proceed without authority.
Then Sancia’s response.
She said Eleanor had been pressured by me.
Of course.
Her lawyer asked for independent capacity evaluation.
Eleanor agreed voluntarily.
Not because she had to prove sanity every time a child disliked her choice.
Because she wanted the record clean.
Geriatric psychiatrist evaluated:
No cognitive impairment affecting financial decision-making.
She understood:
House value.
Rehabilitation.
Care options.
Power of attorney.
Family dispute.
Consequences of returning home.
Competent.
Good.
Then Sancia changed argument.
She said the sale was intended to protect Eleanor.
The house had stairs.
Old plumbing.
Roof due within five years.
Eleanor would need assistance.
Linden Court had predictable costs.
The sale proceeds could fund care.
Not irrational.
Then why no consent?
Sancia said:
“Mom refuses every practical conversation when Radnor is present.”
Eleanor said:
“Because practical conversation apparently means sell my house before I get home.”
There.
Then Sancia accused me of having a financial motive.
Reduced rent.
Potential inheritance.
True benefit.
Not proof of manipulation.
May you like
Still.
We needed to face it.
