Chapter 5 - The Grandparents’ Threat
Three weeks after the incident, my parents filed a petition asking the domestic relations court for grandparent visitation.
Adam’s death made their lawyers believe they had enough legal footing to ask.
That did not mean they would win.
Laura explained:
“Ohio courts give significant weight to a fit parent’s decision. Your parents still have to show why court intervention serves Emma’s best interests.”
“They defended the person who broke her leg.”
“Yes.”
“They told her she caused it.”
“Yes.”
“They contacted her after I said no.”
“Yes.”
“All that matters?”
“Very much.”
Mom’s petition described them differently.
For years, Martin and Diane Hayes had provided “substantial emotional, practical, and financial support” to Emma after her father’s death.
They had cared for her overnight.
Taken her to activities.
Purchased school clothing.
Contributed to her education.
Supported me financially during grief.
Some true.
Some exaggerated.
One phrase caught Laura’s attention.
“Contributed substantially to Emma’s education and long term financial security.”
She looked up.
“What financial security?”
“I don’t know.”
“Any trust?”
My stomach tightened.
Then I remembered.
My great aunt Eleanor.
She had died when Emma was five.
Never married.
No children.
She adored Emma and Tyler.
In her estate, she left money to both children.
Tyler’s parents managed his portion through a custodial account.
Emma’s portion had been placed in a separate custodial investment account.
At the time, Adam had just died.
I was barely functioning.
Mom volunteered to serve as custodian because the estate attorney said an adult could manage until the statutory transfer age.
I agreed.
The amount was about $148,000.
I had not looked at a statement in more than two years.
“Laura.”
“What?”
“My mother controls an account belonging to Emma.”
Her face changed.
“How much?”
“Originally around one hundred fifty thousand.”
“When did you last see statement?”
I felt stupid.
“Two years.”
“Why?”
“Mom said it was invested conservatively and I trusted her.”
Laura said nothing judgmental.
That made it worse.
“Get records.”
I called the investment company.
Because Diane was custodian, they could not simply give me full control.
But as Emma’s parent and with counsel, we could request information and potentially seek an accounting through court.
The representative confirmed current balance.
$89,416.
I stopped breathing.
“What?”
Laura leaned forward.
I repeated.
The account had not lost sixty thousand dollars to the market.
The market had risen.
There had been withdrawals.
Multiple.
Laura’s voice became very calm.
May you like
“We need every statement.”
The grandparent visitation case had just opened a door my mother had spent years assuming I would never look behind.
