Dr. Miller confirmed that Dad had been hospitalized on the date written in the ledger. He had been receiving treatment and was not discharged until the following morning. The doctor couldn’t determine whether Dad had signed anything elsewhere, but the medical records gave the attorney an important timeline. We also learned that Dad had contacted his attorney shortly before his death to discuss his estate. His instructions had been recorded in a file that Charlene apparently hadn’t known existed.
At the next legal meeting, the attorney presented the original documents and explained the options available to the family. Charlene arrived looking angry and accused us of trying to take everything from her. Lonnie finally stood and said, “We aren’t here to throw you out. We’re here because you kept us from saying goodbye to our father.” For the first time, Charlene had no immediate response.
