Chapter 8 - THE HOUSE
Linda’s control extended beyond the company.
The Bennett family home sat on six acres beside the original mill.
Martin’s estate plan left the house to Linda for life.
After her death:
Claire.
Claire had always assumed Linda owned it outright.
She did not.
Life estate.
Remainder to Claire.
That meant Linda could live there.
Maintain it.
Use it.
But she could not simply leave it to Andrew.
Yet Linda had told Andrew:
“One day this will all stay with the family through you.”
Andrew believed that included the house.
Claire confronted her.
“You promised him my house?”
“It isn’t yours while I’m alive.”
“That’s not the same as being yours to give.”
Linda slammed a drawer.
“You hear yourself? You sound like a lawyer.”
“No. I sound like someone finally reading the documents.”
May you like
That sentence hurt Linda.
Because documents were replacing the version of family history she controlled.
