Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
I gestured with my hand toward the table where my client sat in her neat cream-colored sweater set with a solitaire emerald pendant hanging around her neck and simple emerald studs in her ears. Her hair was freshly done and fell in thick chestnut waves over her shoulders, making her look even younger than her habit of doing charity fun runs did.
The woman didn’t even need prescription glasses, for god’s sake.
“She has also been in good financial standing as a highly acclaimed professor for decades, since long before she met the Millers. Honestly, the implication that she would harm her husband for financial reasons is slanderous, and if I was her attorney—oh, look! I am—I would advise her to take legal action against any of these so-called character witnesses.”
All of this was pointless since words spoken during a hearing like this weren’t actionable, and we all knew it. But my point was to put Warren and his client on notice.
“She is a well-respected, long-term resident of Hobie. Your Honor, I would trust her with my power of attorney. And we have as many character witnesses as you need who’ll say the same.”
The judge already knew all of this. She served with Dr. Miller on Hobie’s Hootenanny planning committee. Judge Ricks peered back at Warren, who looked like he knew how ridiculous this petition was.
“Mr. Chisholm, do you or your client have anything else to add?”
I glanced over at his client, who was staring straight ahead instead of daring to look at my client. Thankfully, Janet was paying attention to the judge instead of getting distracted by her loser of a stepson.
“Yes, Your Honor,” Warren explained, desperately searching for a way to keep this case alive. “W-we believe she will make changes to his last will and testament!”
The judge tapped a lacquered fingernail against the legal folder in front of her and put her hand over her microphone before lowering her voice and leaning down so we could hear her. “Don’t be an idiot, Warren.”
We all knew that by bringing evidence into a legal record that Mr. Miller had Alzheimer’s, any changes to his last will and testament from here on out could be easily challenged in court. By having this hearing, he’d protected the sanctity of the will to a certain extent.
Which was stupid, considering my client was the primary beneficiary. But then again, Joey Miller wasn’t known for his brains.
Judge Ricks nodded. “I’m denying this motion to challenge Dr. Miller’s power of attorney for Joseph Miller. I am specifically not assigning power of attorney to Dr. Miller because this case did not charge me with that duty.” She lifted her eyebrows at Warren, indicating he was a very bad boy and his shitty-ass decision to allow his client to follow through on this nonsense could come back to bite him in the ass.
By not assigning her power of attorney, Judge Ricks had left my client the ability to encourage her husband to amend his will however he wanted to. Which she obviously had no intention of doing anyway. It was mostly a nose-tweak to Warren and his client.
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Warren mumbled before turning around and moving toward his client, out of earshot of the bench.
Judge Ricks met my eye. “Do they know what’s in the will?”
I grinned and shrugged. “They must know something since Warren called Dr. Miller the primary beneficiary. Do they know the will actually states that everything goes to my client? I couldn’t say.”
She narrowed her eyes at me in suspicion. “And now they can’t challenge it.”
“If it makes you feel better, the will was signed and dated seventeen years ago along with their wedding certificate. That was truly what Joseph Miller has always wanted. Along with Janet making his decisions. She loves him, as you know.”
She rolled her eyes and made a shooing motion with both hands. “Irrelevant, Counselor. Now, get out of here. I have a busy docket today, and you’re already making me late, just as I predicted.”
I gathered my client and made my way out of the courtroom before allowing her to turn and give me a tight hug. “Thank you! I’m so relieved.”
“Please keep me in the loop with his care,” I urged. “If you need anything, I’d love to help in any way I can.”
We said our goodbyes outside the courthouse, and I quickly made my way back to the office to get some work in before my next hearing, scheduled for this afternoon.
As I strode into my office, Gracie looked up from her desk with a questioning expression.
“We got his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in the record and retained all powers of attorney.”
Gracie nodded. “Kicking ass as usual, Hon.”
I shot her a look. “Some attorneys make it easier than others.”
“Poor Warren,” she said with a laugh. “Don’t forget you have to call Penny Collins back and then look over the Cho brief before your next appointment.”