Chapter 16 - SOPHRONIA IS REMOVED FROM THE ESTATE
The probate judge admitted the third amendment provisionally after authentication.
Sophronia reserved the right to challenge certain advancement treatment.
But administration could not remain frozen forever.
The court appointed North Coast Fiduciary as successor trustee under the amendment.
Miles continued as probate counsel.
Sophronia’s old nomination as personal representative no longer gave her the control she claimed.
She was ordered to transfer:
Estate bank access.
Inventory files.
Keys.
Insurance documents.
Tax correspondence.
She complied.
No raid.
No contempt scene.
Then accounting.
No major shortfall.
Good.
The judge did find her earlier statements and resistance concerning the amendment relevant to whether she should receive fiduciary fees for the short period she acted before neutral control.
She requested $14,000 in fees.
North Coast recommended $7,800 based on documented work, reduced for duplication and conduct that increased administration cost.
Court later approved $7,500.
Not zero.
She had actually done work.
That annoyed me.
Then I realized fair administration means people you dislike still get paid for valid services.
Dad would have enjoyed telling me that.
Then the key.
The court ruled it estate property because Dad used it to secure estate documents, despite hiding it in a gift intended for Aurelia.
The rocking horse remained Aurelia’s.
The key remained with the trustee.
Aurelia asked:
“Can I have key after?”
“Maybe when estate doesn’t need.”
She shrugged.
She cared more about the horse.
May you like
Again.
Adults had been fighting over the wrong object.
