I Opened My Lockbox… It Was Empty. My Daughter-In-Law Told Me, “We Donated Everything. You Don’t Really Need That Right Now Anyway.” I Calmly Replied, “You’re Right, I Don’t Need It. But You Are Going To Need An Advisor.” The Look On Her FACE WAS PRICELESS.

Money from the sale of that plot of land upstate. Taken. “Patrick… can I get it back?”

He nodded.

“Yes, but we have to do this right. If you confront her now, she could destroy evidence, transfer what’s left, manipulate Robert into saying you gave her permission.”

“So, what do I do?”

“We keep gathering evidence.”

In the meantime, he pulled out another set of papers. “Let’s review your legal standing.”

For the next hour, Patrick explained something I didn’t know.

Ernest had left the house solely in my name, in his will. There was no co-ownership, no heirs until after my death. The house was 100% mine.

“Valerie has no legal claim to this property whatsoever. Beatatrice, you can ask them to leave at any time.”

We also reviewed the bank accounts. “This was a mistake.

You never should have given her access, but we can still fix it. We are going to open a new account in your name only, and we are going to transfer what’s left before she realizes it.”

“What if she gets angry?”

“Let her get angry. It’s your money.”

I left that office with a plan.

A plan Valerie would never see coming. The fresh city air filled my lungs. For the first time in years, I walked with my head held high.

I opened the new bank account the next day. I transferred what was still left before Valerie could touch it. I got copies of all the statements.

I had the investigator photograph the jewelry at the pawn shop, and I started recording. My cell phone became my secret weapon. I’d casually leave it on the table during conversations.

I recorded Valerie telling a friend on the phone, “I’ve almost convinced Robert to get the old woman to sign over power of attorney. After that, we can do whatever we want.”

I recorded her yelling, “This house needs a complete overhaul. I’m not going to live in a museum.”

I recorded Robert asking, “What if Mom finds out?”

And her answer: “She won’t find out.

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