My mother finally admitted the truth. They had not planned to replace Elena’s savings because they had convinced themselves that, as secondary custodian, Rosalind could decide how the money was used. My attorney explained otherwise. The account records showed years of deposits intended for Elena, and my mother’s authority came with responsibilities to the beneficiary, not permission to redirect the funds to another grandchild. Because the dealership’s payment had been stopped before final settlement, Brooke’s SUV purchase was unwound and the vehicle returned while the credit union completed its review.
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