Over the next few days, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me. The idea of the house, our home, being the center of a potential dispute was unsettling. I found myself poring over the documents again and again, as if they might reveal some hidden truth I had initially missed.
My brother and I met with Mr. Hale the following Monday. His office was as I remembered it: neat, with books lining the walls and a large desk dominating the space. He greeted us with a firm handshake and a practiced smile, gesturing for us to sit.
“I’ve reviewed the will and the estate documents,” Mr. Hale began, adjusting his glasses. “The provision about the house is clear, but there is room for interpretation. We need to establish what ‘maintain’ entails.”
“And how do we do that?” I asked, my voice steady but my heart racing.
“We’ll start with a financial assessment of both of you,” Mr. Hale said. “Income, assets, liabilities. It will help determine capability.”
“It’s not just about money,” I interjected, my voice rising slightly. “It’s about family.”
Mr. Hale nodded, his expression softening slightly. “I understand. But legally, we need to quantify these things.”
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