“Ryan, how are you?” Chris asked calmly.
“Could be better,” I replied. “I need your help—my grandmother’s house. Ben Miller’s trying to kick Mom out.”
Chris got to work immediately. “Do you have the documents?”
I nodded. “All in the glove compartment. Grandma set up a trust for Mom’s future, with an amendment two years ago.”
Chris explained, “The trust includes a life estate. If the deed transfer didn’t disclose that, Ben’s claim is weak. We can challenge it in court.”
Mom’s tension eased. “But he paid the back taxes,” she said.
“That doesn’t override the life estate. We can file an emergency injunction if needed,” Chris assured.
Relief replaced despair as Mom squeezed my hand. “She knew what family can be like,” I said.
Chris added, “Send the documents. I’ll handle the rest.”
We hung up, ready for the fight but with a plan. I turned to Mom: “Let’s get something warm to drink. Work ahead of us.”
She smiled genuinely for the first time that day, and we walked toward the coffee shop together, stepping into a new beginning.