Chapter 19 - The Hearing
The civil case reached an evidentiary hearing.
No jury.
Judge.
Documents.
Edmund’s lawyer testified.
Maris Bell.
She said:
“Mr. Rowan was explicit.”
Capacity:
No concern.
Influence:
He met alone.
He instructed.
He understood Maude disagreed.
Then adoption order.
Then club bylaws.
Then Maude’s notarized acknowledgment.
Her counsel argued:
Edmund’s transfer was punitive.
Even if partly.
A person can make an inter vivos gift for mixed emotional reasons if legally competent and not coerced.
Then cabana license.
Club confirmed transfer approved.
No ambiguity.
Maude’s best argument narrowed to whether reserved occupancy could be extended because she had paid certain assessments after Edmund’s death.
Interesting.
She paid three years of dues.
Expected.
The agreement said reserved user responsible for operating assessments.
No ownership gained.
Then her counsel raised several furniture/maintenance contributions.
Those could support reimbursement claims.
Not title.
The judge took under advisement.
No dramatic gavel.
We went home.
Elspeth asked:
“Did Grandma win?”
I said:
“Judge hasn’t decided.”
“Did I?”
I looked at Gareth.
Then back.
“This isn’t a game you should have to win.”
She frowned.
“But cabana.”
“The adults are deciding paperwork about it.”
“Can I go there?”
“Yes.”
The litigation had not suspended trust use.
May you like
That weekend, we did.
Because I refused to turn court into a reason she lost the place while adults argued.
