Chapter 16 - Diane’s civil defense
Diane’s insurer denied coverage for intentional abuse allegations.
Her personal umbrella policy agreed to defend certain negligence allegations under reservation but excluded intentional harm.
That affected settlement.
She owned:
House worth roughly $780,000 with mortgage.
Retirement accounts.
Investments.
No secret fortune.
Could we take everything?
No.
Some assets protected.
Some not.
Our civil claim sought:
Therapy costs.
Medical costs.
Pain and suffering.
Future treatment if reasonably supported.
Punitive damages where allowed.
Not infinite.
Then Diane counterclaimed against me for assault from shove.
Her lawyer later withdrew after reviewing video and self-defense/defense-of-child law.
She also sought visitation.
That was more serious emotionally.
Could a grandparent ask court for visitation?
Depending jurisdiction and circumstances.
She filed.
Daniel and I opposed.
Evidence:
Criminal charges.
Protective order.
Noah’s fear.
Court denied temporary visitation.
Final petition stayed pending criminal case.
No instant lifetime ruling.
Then Diane wrote Daniel letters.
He returned unopened?
Not all.
He read one.
She wrote:
I disciplined Noah because Emily cannot tolerate seeing him unhappy.
Daniel showed me.
I wanted to burn it.
Did not.
Evidence preserved.
Then:
ClearPath agreed he needed structure.
Misleading.
They agreed routines.
Not chain.
Then:
The dog food was a lesson, not a meal.
That admission went to prosecutor through counsel.
The defense called it privileged? Letter to son, not attorney; admissibility determined later.
No one needed secret recordings.
May you like
Diane kept explaining herself.
Every explanation reduced ambiguity.
