Chapter 8 - The Trust Fund Trap
The following morning, Julian met with his family estate lawyer, Richard Hayes, at his downtown office overlooking the Potomac.
Richard spread a series of financial ledgers across the glass conference table, highlighting red transfers in marker.
"Clara's personal trust fund was valued at twelve million dollars, inherited from her late father," Richard explained.
"Under Virginia estate law, if Clara died without a updated will, full management reverted to Evelyn as trustee."
Julian realized the terrifying depth of the trap his mother had meticulously constructed over the past two years.
"Evelyn wasn't just trying to get the insurance payout," Julian stated, horror settling in his chest.
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"She needed Clara out of the way before Lily turned seven, when the trust terms permanently locked."
"Exactly," Richard confirmed gravely. "Had Clara lived another month, Evelyn would have been completely removed from the account."
