Chapter 3 - THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
Emily called attorney Rachel Sloan.
Not a divorce lawyer yet.
A friend from college who practiced trusts and estates.
Rachel listened.
Then asked:
“When is your anniversary?”
Emily frowned.
“Saturday.”
“Which anniversary?”
“Fifth.”
Silence.
Rachel said:
“Do you have copies of Daniel’s father’s estate documents?”
“No.”
“Any trust summaries?”
“No.”
“Prenup?”
“Yes.”
“Send it.”
Emily did.
Rachel read for twenty minutes.
Then called back.
“The prenup references a Carter Marital Continuity Trust.”
Emily sat up.
“What is that?”
“I don’t know yet.”
Then Rachel found an exhibit.
It was incomplete.
But one paragraph stood out.
If Daniel Carter remains married and continuously domiciled with spouse for five years following marriage, certain growth interests in Carter Property Holdings shall vest in the Marital Continuity Trust for the benefit of Daniel Carter and spouse, subject to governing trust instrument.
Emily stopped breathing.
“Benefit of Daniel and spouse?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Not stated here.”
Then Rachel said:
“And if spouses are separated before the five-year date, vesting may not occur.”
Emily stared at the calendar.
Three days.
Then at the closed bedroom door.
May you like
Margaret had not come to insult her randomly.
They wanted her out of the house before Saturday.
