Chapter 17 - THE JUDGE'S DECISION
The decision took forty-seven minutes to read.
Laura received sole legal and physical custody.
Dean received no unsupervised parenting time until he completed a court-approved intervention program, psychological evaluation, and demonstrated compliance with financial and child-safety orders.
The court permanently barred him from serving as trustee of Ava’s inheritance.
An independent fiduciary replaced Laura temporarily too.
Laura had requested it.
Dean looked surprised.
His attorney whispered.
Laura explained later.
“I don’t want Ava’s money becoming another battle between her parents.”
The trust belonged to Ava.
Not Laura.
Not Dean.
That choice destroyed Dean’s claim that Laura had fought for custody to control the money.
The judge also referred the forged trust documents and unauthorized transfers for continuing criminal investigation.
Marilyn’s visits would be supervised until a family therapist recommended otherwise.
Outside court, Dean approached Laura through attorneys.
“I’m sorry.”
He said.
Laura looked at him.
“For what?”
He opened his mouth.
Then stopped.
That was the problem.
There were too many answers.
“For making Ava afraid.”
He finally said.
Laura nodded.
May you like
“Start there.”
She walked away.
