a family property trust. I studied Dad in amazement.
“You put the house in a trust?” PlanGardens
“Your mother and I did.”
“When?”
“Six years ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“We didn’t think we needed to.”
Under the trust, Mom and Dad retained lifetime occupancy; eviction was impossible and transfers restricted. When both died, the house would be sold and proceeds divided unless Derek and I agreed to joint ownership. Another clause addressed preserving the workshop and tools for a son wishing to use them.
“So Derek can’t take the house,” I said, trying to absorb it. PlanGardens
“No.”
“Does he know?”
Dad paused before responding.
“He knows something prevents him from changing the deed.”
Suddenly the searches, the documents and the obsession with the key made sense.
“He’s been trying to find these documents.”
“Not exactly.”
Dad sat back down heavily.
“He’s been trying to understand why the
