My share of ownership was small, but legally important. She could not take out a new home-equity loan, sell the property, or change the title without proper consent.
Two months earlier, a document had been filed claiming that I had transferred my interest to Mom for one dollar.
The signature was forged.
Tyler had not only attempted to open a personal loan under my name. He and Mom had been preparing to borrow against the house while relying on my income history to qualify.
When Detective Nguyen questioned them separately, their stories fell apart.
Mom said Tyler had handled the documents and promised her everything was legal. Tyler said Mom told him I had agreed to give up my share because I “owed the family” for living there.
Neither one of them could explain why the transfer form was dated on a day when I was at a work conference in Denver.
Meanwhile, Owen’s school counselor called me. Since I had left, Mom had forgotten his medication twice and blamed him for not reminding her. My aunt Karen had taken him in temporarily, but Mom wanted him back because his disability benefit helped pay household expenses.
That benefit was another hidden truth.