Chapter 3 - The Papers Were Never Enough
The next morning, our attorney explained something important.
Michael’s signature alone could not simply hand legal custody of Lily to Vanessa.
A court would still have to approve any guardianship arrangement.
But the papers mattered.
They included parental consents.
A nomination of Vanessa and Derek as temporary guardians.
Medical authority.
School authority.
And a broad financial authorization allowing them to communicate with trustees on Lily’s behalf.
Buried near the end was language permitting them to request distributions for housing, education, transportation, and “family stability.”
That phrase was doing enormous work.
Vanessa and Derek could not take Lily’s trust outright.
But if they became guardians, they planned to argue that large distributions were necessary to maintain the household where Lily lived.
Their household.
The same household securing their failing business loans.
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They had not asked Michael to give away his daughter in one signature.
They had asked him to create the evidence they needed to begin taking control step by step.
