Chapter 13 - THE COURT ORDER
The civil court upheld Helen’s trust amendments.
Capacity established.
The home-equity application was withdrawn and flagged as fraudulent.
Jason was ordered to repay a portion of improperly taken funds.
Not every disputed transfer.
Some were treated as gifts because evidence was insufficient.
Precision.
The criminal case over financial exploitation and assault proceeded separately.
Jason accepted a plea on assault and financial exploitation-related charges.
He avoided a long prison term but received:
probation,
restitution,
mandatory counseling,
no-contact restrictions except through counsel for a period,
and removal from Helen’s home.
Helen cried when he moved out.
That surprised everyone.
Rachel asked:
“Do you want him to stay?”
“No.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“He’s my son.”
Both true.
Love did not disappear when access did.
Then Jason said from the doorway:
“You chose money over me.”
Helen looked at him.
“No.”
“You took my house.”
“My house.”
“You were going to leave it to me.”
“Maybe.”
Jason froze.
Then Helen said:
May you like
“You tried to take it before I was gone.”
He had no answer.
