For years, that habit had seemed excessive to Robert.

Now it gave us somewhere to begin.

Sophia sent preservation notices to the settlement agent, closing attorney, buyer, relevant financial institution, and notary.

The notices asked them to preserve the transaction records and electronic files.

They did not prove wrongdoing.

They made clear that a serious dispute existed and that records mattered.

She also prepared the civil papers needed to challenge the transfer and seek immediate protection against another sale or new financing.

“We need to contain the problem,” she said.