The Vow: Ted Born's Last Trial

 “The Vow: Ted Born’s Last Trial” is the second in a trilogy of “Ted Born Courtroom Drama/Thriller” series, following the first volume in the series, “The Impossible. Mock Orange Trial.” In this sequel to the earlier work, leading character attorney Ted Born tries to uphold a vow he made earlier in his career to a client who wanted assurance that the client’s younger brother would never be allowed to have any involvement in the client’s estate planning or finances. Ted agrees also to serve as the backup alternate trustee and executor for the client, a responsibility that would devolve on him only if the client’s favored designee predeceased the client. Years later, on the death of the primary designee, Ted Born is set to assume the duties of trustee and eventual executor of the client’s estate. However, Born is surprised by a power of attorney, apparently executed by the client, giving full power of his estate and finances to the disfavored younger brother, contrary to the client’s own strong desires expressed to Born over a quarter century of servi g as her lawyer. Born suspects that the power of attorney has been procured by the younger brother’s taking advantage of some dementia and other infirmities of the client, but cannot immediately prove that. Ted is faced with acceptance or rejection of the new power of attorney, knowing that there could be litigation, unwanted publicity, perhaps anger from the client’s family members who might prefer a family member to perform the functions at issue, and other powerful negatives. Ted makes a decision that will expose him to possible financial ruin and smearing of his professional reputation, without encouragement or support of his own law firm.
   
    This novel deals with issues which are becoming more prevalent as people live longer lives and thus are more likely to suffer from dementia and other impairments that leave them vulnerable to an undoing of years of careful planning relative to finances and even their well-being in their later years, and asset distributions on their passing.
   
    The work is a moving and gripping journey through the labyrinth of challenges Ted Born encounters, as the reader feels literally a participant in the emotional and legal ups and downs of dealing with a very difficult situation involving very high stakes for the client and a lawyer who puts everything on the line for his client, even when the client is nominally opposing the lawyer who is trying to protect him. In keeping with the other works in this series, the book explores justice in society today and is designed to promote reflection based on unforgettable moments in the journey.