Judge Morrison watched me.
“The medical expert retained by the petitioners never examined her. His testimony addressed general vulnerability. It did not establish that my grandmother was incapable of making this particular decision
or that I improperly influenced her.”
I looked toward my parents.
My mother was staring at the letter.
My father’s jaw was tight.
I turned back to the judge.
“I loved my grandmother. I visited her because I loved her. I helped her because she had helped me throughout my life.”
My voice shook slightly.
I let it.
“I didn’t know she intended to leave me this estate. And when I learned what she’d done, I was shocked.”
I looked down at Nana’s handwriting.
“But shock does not make a will invalid. Neither does disappointment.”
I took a breath.
“My grandmother was allowed to make a decision her family didn’t like.”
Then I sat down.
