The deed transferred Dad’s small commercial property to Delphine and me. I had known he owned the aging building, but I had no idea what it had become worth after the surrounding area was rezoned and developed. An independent appraisal attached to the deed valued it at just over $3.6 million. Dad had already worked with his attorney and lender so the transfer would not interfere with the $1.78 million debt or my guarantor obligations. The plan was to refinance and use part of the property’s equity to clear the remaining balance.
Then I read the sentence Dad had written beside the notary seal: “I needed to know who would stay when helping me looked like a burden instead of an inheritance.”
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