Boy, that is a lot of gibberish. But it helped me a lot. While public, this blog is just a personal notebook. Try not to delete–warts and all.
There are times when it helps to take a legal approach. Almost always, this is a studied, reasonable path with a history. Almost more importantly, it is a path to closure. Greedy, set in their ways family members are nothing new. I have expected and prepared for it since around 2002, when I moved to Beaufort temporarily and wrote The Reckoning. Alcohol will always be the most important thing–you cannot accomplish other things when you are devoting half of each day to drinking and the other half suffering mood swings. In the broader picture of my survival, I learned to always plan for and envision the worst, then expect something even worse than that.
Yes, the psychological relief is the most important part. Knowledge is key. Knowledge produces confidence, a plan, and a path.
My status has changed. It hasn’t been son for a long time. Now it is beneficiary. I expect nothing–no money, no momentos, and no notification. But I have learned. Steal once, possibly forgive; do it again with no empathy, and your character is defined. Few but precise words: Why should I trust you? The real meaning, you are not to be trusted, is a little different.
I’m tempted to ask the name of the family attorney. I don’t know who the family financial advisor is either. Probably there aren’t any. Remember, if you think there is planning and sophistication, don’t. It is graft. Or grift as in grifter.
I’m feeling a little guilty. It is going to be fun to look up estate lawyer and beneficiary rights in Florida.
I’m happy I survived. I’m happy I understand it so I could survive.
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