Brian had been told the proceeds barely covered taxes and legal fees.

The letter suggested a very different amount.

We took the documents to an independent trusts attorney, Dana Mercer, who had no connection to the Cole family.

Dana was precise, patient, and unwilling to guess.

“A letter from years ago doesn’t tell us what’s in the trust now,” she said.

“But it gives us enough to request a formal accounting.

If your father has been managing assets as trustee, he may have duties to report their administration to the appropriate beneficiaries.”

Brian stared at the sale figure.