Michael sat back in the conference room, feeling as if he was only beginning to grasp the intricate network of trusts, funds, and arrangements that seemed to unfold endlessly. Natalie’s sharp focus hadn’t waned, and she leaned forward as Roger brought up the next topic.
“Now, we need to address your living arrangements, Michael,” Roger said, scanning through a file.
Natalie nodded firmly, a determined glint in her eyes. “That’s right. Ideally, Michael should stay in his great-uncle’s apartment at the yard. It’s familiar, it’s comfortable, and he’s set up to complete his studies there. I’ll go to the yard management myself if I have to. We should make sure Michael has a stable place to stay—he’ll need it to focus on his studies.”
Roger glanced at Margaret, who exchanged a knowing look with him, a hint of a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. “Ms. Graves,” Roger said, “there won’t be any need for that. Michael’s situation is… unique.”
Natalie’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, unique?”
Martin O’Brian leaned forward, interlacing his fingers as he spoke. “I advised on the oversight of the shipyard and its operations. Right now, all assets tied to the yard are in what we call a ‘holding pattern’—or legal limbo.”
Micheal looks over to Natalie, then to O’Brian, “What does that actually mean legal limbo.”
Natalie glaring over at Martin, “He means decisions about these assets are frozen until your cousins respond.”
Roger set down his file and folded his hands. “Mr. Aubrey … um Ms. Graves, Michael’s great-uncle, Desmond Aubrey, owned the shipyard where Michael has been studying and training. He also owned the adjacent ship dealership, several used ships. His estate generates annual licensing fees that support a fund for future growth from for a range patents of spacecraft subsystems and equipment used in ship repairs.”
The room fell silent as Natalie blinked in shock, her eyes shifting to Michael as if to gauge his reaction.
“Wait,” Michael said, his voice thick with disbelief. “You’re saying my uncle… he owned the entire yard?”
“Yes,” Roger replied. “Your great-uncle’s estate is sizable. However, the estate isn’t just the shipyard; it also includes the dealership, numerous patents, and a fund that receives annual licensing fees from these patents. The estate is set up to ensure continued growth, and some of the licensing fees will be funneled into a principal investment.”
Natalie sat back, trying to process the revelation. “So, he not only has the shipyard but also patents and even ships. And this means what exactly for his living arrangements?”
O’Brian interlocking his fingers resting his hands on the table, “All the assets related to the yard as Mr. Talbot mentioned went into one of the family trusts, where they are being held till both of Desmond Aubrey’s kids are notified and can then make some decisions. However, the operation of the yard is to continue under the firm's guidance with input from the living members of the family in system, till the notification has been made and the cousins send word as to what is to happen.”
O’Brian continues stating, “This notification and response could be a few days to a couple of weeks. During this time, we will not be filling the Manager position, pending a decision from the cousins. And as Mr. Aubrey is the only living member of the family in system, we will have to ask him if he would allow one Micheal Aubrey to continue to live in the apartment at the yard.”
Shaking her head, Margaret leaned forward to clarify. “What he means, Ms. Graves, is that Michael has the right to stay in his great-uncle’s apartment at the yard if he wishes, at least until his cousins Charles Aubrey and Alisha Aubrey Garner make their plans known to us here at the firm.”
“In addition to that, Micheal, I mean Mr. Aubrey,” Roger said, scanning through a file, “you’re technically considered a resident of a dormitory facility tied to the shipyard’s educational program. So at any time of your choosing, you can move from the apartment into an available dorm room at the school.”
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Margret then continued, “Your Great Uncle also allocated certain funds from his estate will provide for his living expenses and cover any additional school-related costs. And since Desmond wanted Michael to have a practical way to continue learning, additional funds were allocated specifically for Michael to purchase tools, testing supplies, and materials for his personal projects while participating in an accredited degree seeking program of higher education.”
Michael’s mind buzzed, trying to piece together the staggering information. In a matter of days, he’d gone from wondering where he might end up to discovering that he now had a secured living situation for the next few months.
Natalie looked at Michael, her expression softening with a rare, almost maternal warmth. “Michael, this is incredible.”
“It’s… a lot,” Michael murmured, glancing at Roger. “All of this, the various trust, it will be mine when I turned what 18 and 19?”
Roger nodded. “Not exactly. Yes, your great-uncle and your grandparents separate accounts will be made available to you on your 18th and 19th birthday respectively. In addition, your grandparents, Samuel Aubrey and Eileen Callahan Aubrey, each set up separate trusts in your name when you were born. But you only get set distributions each month as allowance starting at age 18, but for the whole trust has to wait till you hit 27.”
“They did?” Michael asked, feeling a pang of warmth at the thought of his grandparents, whose modest lives had always masked any hint of wealth.
Roger nodded. “Your grandparents were well-known for their work in robotics engineering and space architecture. As such, they hold numerous patents on their designs and systems. Like your great-uncle, they set up funds with income from these patents and copyrights. Every year, ten percent of the interest and gains from these investments will be available for your living and educational expenses.”
Natalie raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration flickering in her gaze. “And this money… is all separate from what he’s due at eighteen or nineteen?”
“Correct,” Margaret replied. “The trusts your grandparents set up have remained under careful management, accruing a significant amount of interest, and are separate from the savings and investment accounts that you’ll gain access to at eighteen and nineteen. We will need to set up new accounts for the allowances from your uncles trust or we can direct those funds into the already existing accounts that your uncle setup. The second approach allows your family’s trusts to grow further while the first approach is designed for providing for your immediate needs.”
Roger interjected, “In accordance with the original trust documents, you’ll gain full access to all of these assets by age twenty-seven. Your family believed that by then, you would likely have completed your education and have the work experience necessary to make wise decisions with the estate. By then, the trusts would have had time to mature significantly, providing you with a more robust financial foundation.”
Michael took a deep breath, leaning back in his chair. “So… I don’t have to worry about where I’ll live, and I can stay in my uncle’s apartment for now? So. I can hold off on getting the allowances from the trust until after I finish the school year.”
“Precisely,” Roger said, with a nod. “For now, you can focus on your studies and let us handle the legal formalities after graduation.”
A hint of relief flashed in Natalie’s eyes as she nodded approvingly. “That’s exactly what we needed to hear. He’s been through enough changes recently. Having a familiar space to finish out the term will make a huge difference.”
Margaret pulled out a few more documents and slid them across the table. “There are, however, a few minor details we need your approval on, Michael, regarding the final expenses for your uncle’s estate. Nothing that needs to be decided immediately, but it’s helpful to start the process.”
Michael glanced at Natalie, who gave a reassuring nod. He looked down at the documents in front of him, overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions he now had to make. In a strange way, though, it felt almost as if his uncle and grandparents were still there, guiding him, leaving him with a legacy he never realized they’d planned so carefully.
As he worked through the papers, asking questions about each, he felt a sense of purpose taking shape. Here he was, signing off on his great-uncle’s final expenses, his role more than just a young apprentice at the yard.
After the initial paperwork was signed and the conference room cleared, Roger stood, extending a hand to both Natalie and Michael. “Thank you both for your patience and for letting us explain all of this. We’ll handle everything with the utmost care. Michael, this estate is in good hands, and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.”
Michael shook his hand, a newfound sense of responsibility settling over him. “Thank you, Mr. Talbot. I appreciate all the work you’re doing.”
As they left the law office, Natalie gave him a gentle nudge. “You’re holding up pretty well, you know.”
Michael gave her a small smile. “It’s a lot to process, but… I think I’m starting to understand. They left all of this for me, didn’t they? They really believed in me.”
Natalie nodded; her tone soft. “They did. They wanted you to have everything you’d need to succeed.”
With a quiet resolve, Michael looked out across the distant starscape from the transport bay, feeling an immense gratitude swell within him. Whatever the future held, he knew he had the strength and support to face it head-on. And, for the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel alone.