Chapter 7 - THE PART SANClA WAS RIGHT ABOUT
I benefited from living in Eleanor’s house.
There was no honest way around that.
Comparable rent:
$1,700 to $1,900.
I paid $900.
Utilities made total maybe $1,300.
Still below market.
Eleanor had given me a real economic benefit.
Sancia knew.
Then repairs.
I had paid for:
Water heater labor.
Fence.
Some painting.
Minor plumbing.
Not enough to equal market rent.
Again.
I could say caregiving made up difference.
How much caregiving?
Groceries.
Driving.
Medication pickup.
Yard work.
But Eleanor was independent before hip surgery.
I was not a full-time caregiver.
So yes.
I had a favorable arrangement.
Sancia’s fear that I might want it to continue was reasonable.
Her conclusion that this let her sell the house without consent was not.
Then estate expectations.
Did I expect to inherit?
I hated Naomi asking.
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you believe you and Sancia are equal beneficiaries?”
“I assumed.”
“Have you seen the current will?”
“No.”
Good.
Then:
“Would inheriting the house benefit you?”
“Yes.”
No pretending.
Sancia later used that in deposition.
“You want Mom back in the house because you live there cheaply and hope to inherit.”
I answered:
“I want her choice honored.”
“Convenient choice.”
“Yes.”
Both.
Then Sancia’s own financial motive.
She had spent money on Eleanor.
A lot.
During surgery:
Hotel near hospital.
Home medical equipment deposit.
Legal consultations.
Private physical-therapy equipment.
Some reimbursed.
Some not.
Sancia claimed:
$18,700 outstanding.
Eleanor’s professional fiduciary reviewed.
Documented unreimbursed amount:
About $11,400.
That was meaningful.
Sancia had been helping.
Not merely circling property.
Then she planned that once house sold, she would reimburse herself from proceeds.
Was that allowed?
Only documented expenses and proper accounting.
Not automatically whatever she claimed.
But much of it may have been legitimate.
Then Linden Court deposit:
$7,500.
Sancia had placed refundable reservation money herself.
Without Eleanor agreeing to move there.
Why?
“Because units fill.”
Practical.
Controlling.
Both.
Then her larger argument:
If Eleanor returned home, someone had to care for her.
Radnor assumed he could.
I had not actually priced professional home care.
Sancia had.
Twenty-five hours weekly:
Expensive.
Could Eleanor afford?
Yes.
Trust? Not necessary.
She had retirement income and savings.
House did not have to sell immediately.
Then home safety evaluation.
Occupational therapist inspected:
Install second railing.
Bathroom grab bars.
Remove two rugs.
Bedroom available on first floor.
Home return feasible with support.
There.
Not perfect.
Feasible.
Sancia’s claim that sale was medically necessary weakened.
Then I realized:
If I wanted Eleanor’s autonomy respected, I had to accept the possibility she might later choose Linden Court.
Even if that ended my cheap housing.
Could I?
Yes.
I told her:
“If you decide to sell later, I’ll leave.”
Eleanor stared.
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
Then she smiled slightly.
May you like
“Good.”
That was the first boundary not built around winning against Sancia.
