Its terms provided independent administration and protected the money for her rather than making it an account I could control whenever I felt afraid.

Hannah read the documents herself.

This time there was no driver waiting, no husband telling her the pages were routine, no mother-in-law impatient with her questions.

She asked what the trustee could do.

She asked how expenses would be handled.

She asked what decisions would belong to Lily when she was older.

The lawyer answered, and when an answer was unclear, Hannah asked again.

I sat beside her without reaching for the pen.