Business interest.
Bank accounts.
No games. No hidden transfers.
Roger entered each number. His 401(k) had grown steadily for 17 years. His brokerage account was substantial but unremarkable.
The business interest had value. The Worthington property had equity. On paper, Roger Barry was worth considerably more than his clothes or vehicle suggested.
He felt no satisfaction in that. Money could not make Tuesday night disappear. But accurate records could prevent someone else from defining what belonged to whom.
Three days later, Amanda called. "Kimberly's side sent a settlement proposal."
Roger drove to her office after work. Eric Lawson's proposal ran 11 pages. Roger read slowly.
Kimberly wanted temporary possession of the Worthington house to continue. She proposed division of retirement assets, treatment of various accounts, allocation of debts.
Then Roger reached the section concerning disputed HELOC transactions. He read it twice.
The proposal effectively resolved several issues if Roger agreed not to pursue extensive reimbursement or accounting claims related to certain disputed funds.
Roger looked up. "Why would I agree to this now?"
Amanda shrugged. "You tell me."
"We don't have Natalie's final tracing."
"No."
"We don't have the lender review."
"No."
"We haven't resolved the authorization."
"No."
"Then the numbers aren't finished."
Amanda smiled slightly. "That's my view."
Roger closed the proposal. "Rejected."
"Counter?"
"Not yet."
Amanda studied him. "You're comfortable waiting?"
"No."
That made her smile again. Roger tapped the document.
"I'd rather be uncomfortable for three months than wrong for 10 years."
Amanda nodded. "I'll respond."
Roger stood. Before he reached the door, Amanda spoke.
"One more thing."
He turned.
"The absence of a prenup means we don't get to use shortcuts."
"I never signed one."
"I know. Which means we trace. We classify. We value."
"Your premarital house contribution doesn't magically decide everything. Neither does Kimberly's affair. Neither does your business interest."
Roger nodded. "The paperwork decides."
"The law applied to the paperwork decides."
Roger accepted the correction. That distinction mattered.
The following week, Natalie sent an updated financial schedule. The number associated with disputed or potentially relevant transfers had increased again.
Some funds clearly related to K&W. Some needed further analysis. Some would probably remain ordinary marital expenditures.
Roger read every footnote. At the end of the report, Natalie had added a section titled "Documents Requiring Verification."
The notarized authorization was listed first.
Roger called her. "Anything new?"
"Not on the notary yet."
"What about the signature?"
"I don't authenticate handwriting."
"I know."
"But I found something else."
Roger sat straighter. "What?"
"There is a second notarized document."
Silence.