Judge Morrison looked at Robert, who was sitting with his attorney and looking progressively paler as Emily’s testimony revealed the scope of his financial manipulation.
“Emily, did you ever see Grandpa give Sharon any gifts?”
“Yes, ma’am. I saw him give her a jewelry box that looked like the one he gave Grandma for their anniversary last year, except this one was bigger.”
“How do you know it was the same kind of jewelry box?”
“Because I helped Grandpa pick out Grandma’s anniversary present at the jewelry store downtown. The man at the store said Grandpa was a good customer because he bought expensive things there a lot.”
I felt a chill as I realized Robert had been buying jewelry for Sharon with the same frequency and from the same store where he’d purchased my anniversary gifts, as if maintaining two romantic relationships was simply a matter of organizing his shopping schedule efficiently.
After Emily finished her testimony and was escorted to the children’s area with a victim advocate, Judge Morrison addressed Robert directly.
“Mr. Stevens, your granddaughter has provided very specific testimony about conversations she overheard regarding hidden assets, forged signatures, and unauthorized use of your wife’s credit rating and retirement funds. How do you respond to these allegations?”
Robert’s attorney whispered urgently in his ear before he answered.
“Your Honor, children often misunderstand adult conversations. Emily may have heard fragments of discussions about legitimate financial planning and misinterpreted them as something secretive or improper.”
“Mr. Stevens, the forensic accounting has confirmed the existence of hidden offshore accounts, undisclosed properties, and forged loan documents. Are you claiming that an eight-year-old child imagined detailed financial conversations that precisely match fraudulent activities documented by professional investigators?”
“Your Honor, I may have made some investment decisions without fully consulting my wife, but everything I did was intended to benefit our family’s long-term financial security.”
Judge Morrison consulted her notes, then looked at Robert with the expression of someone who’d heard too many elaborate justifications for straightforward dishonesty.
“Mr. Stevens, transferring marital assets into hidden accounts, using your wife’s identity to obtain loans for property she’s never seen, and systematically depleting her retirement savings to fund a relationship with another woman does not constitute family financial planning. It constitutes fraud.”
“Your Honor—”
“Mr. Stevens, I’m granting Mrs. Gillian’s motion for exclusive access to all marital assets pending full investigation of potential criminal charges. You’re also prohibited from making any further financial transactions or property transfers without court approval.”
As we left the courthouse, Patricia Williams explained what Judge Morrison’s ruling meant for my financial future.
“Mrs. Gillian, you’re going to recover not just your fair share of marital property, but significant additional damages for the financial fraud. Your husband’s attempt to hide assets has backfired completely.”
“What about the Florida house?”
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