Chapter 22 - Margaret’s Final Court Date
Margaret’s final court date was not another trial.
Probation termination.
Restitution confirmed.
Conditions completed.
No violations.
Judge discharged supervision.
She was seventy four.
Free legally.
No one clapped.
She walked out with attorney.
I was not required to attend.
I did anyway?
Maybe unnecessary. I read order later.
She called Ethan afterward.
“I’m done.”
He asked:
“How do you feel?”
“Old.”
He laughed.
She did too.
Then:
“Can I ask Claire something?”
“Through me?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Would she object if I updated my estate plan to leave nothing connected to Great Falls?”
Ethan looked at me.
I answered:
“Her estate plan is hers.”
Margaret wrote later:
I removed any language describing Great Falls as family property. I don’t want another document carrying the lie.
That was symbolic.
Not needed.
But meaningful.
Her assets would go:
Part to Ethan.
Part to charity.
Small trust for Lily, independently managed.
We told her Lily did not need money.
She replied:
“It isn’t repayment.”
Good.
No acceptance decision yet.
Future.
At seventy five, Margaret downsized again to smaller condo.
She donated wine red Christmas gown? That's maybe symbolic. Not needed.
She kept pearls.
May you like
Fine.
People do not have to discard objects to reform.
