“Held by her son Herbert as trustee until that child’s thirtieth birthday. And then this.”
“‘If, after one year from the beneficiary’s thirtieth birthday, said beneficiary cannot be located after diligent search, the trust shall pass to my son Herbert.'”
Anders did the math before I did.
“I turned thirty on November 10th,” he said slowly. “Last year.”
“One year runs out on the tenth of this month,” Janet said. “Four days after a hearing your father scheduled himself.”
She laid down another sheet.
“Petition for Final Distribution. Filed October 6th. Hearing Friday, November 6th, nine a.m., Judge Josiah Kroll. Attached is an Affidavit of Diligent Search, sworn by Herbert Gilchrist, and Exhibit B.”
She turned the page toward me.
It was the registry card.
MOTHER DECLINES CONTACT.
“That is the whole case,” Janet said. “No beneficiary can be found because the birth mother, in writing, wanted none found. The farm goes to your father. Your father was in a hurry, Michelle. He wanted your signature on a second affidavit because some judges ask the mother to confirm. The hospital called him before he could finish asking you in a calmer setting.”
