Marcus Hayes got up immediately, smoothed his tie against his vest, and unbuttoned his suit jacket.

“Your Honor,” Hayes said, “we ask for an immediate summary distribution of the remaining estate funds to the executor, Gene Miller.”

“On what legal grounds?” Judge Vance asked, peering down over his brass reading glasses.

“The thirty-day notice period ran out on Tuesday,” Hayes said.

“The late Mr.

Miller left sixty-five thousand dollars in hardware store equity and liquid bank accounts.

There are no valid outstanding claims.”