Dear B. Scott:

Some years ago my dad passed from cancer and there was a lawsuit. He stipulated in the will that, because I was in young and in college at the time, my money was to go into trust until I graduated.  Upon graduating, I asked my mother about my trust only to find out it had been cleaned out. I worked hard to get over it only to recently find out that a home and land that had been willed to me had been sold as well. I don’t know what to do. I love my mom and I don’t want to hate her—but we’re talking big money. How can I move on from this?  I can’t trust her and my heart is breaking.

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Dear Love Muffin,

My heart is breaking for you.

Unfortunately, this is one of those situations where you have to be completely honest with yourself.

If you pursue legal action to attempt to recover what you feel was rightfully yours, you have every right to do just that. However, keep in mind that not even the law can recover money/property from someone who has already spent or sold it.

Even if you win your case and a judgment is awarded in your favor, there’s no guarantee you will ever be able to recover it.

As you may know, I’m currently involved in a legal battle of my own and despite my belief of being wronged, I definitely underestimated the toll that filing a lawsuit would take on me both physically and emotionally. Even though you may be justified in your pursuit, the question comes down to “Is it truly worth it for you?”

It’s unfortunate that we’re talking about your own mother, but often times family members are the ones that cut us the deepest.

When people do you dirty it’s not easy to forgive and move on. However, when you choose to forgive those who have hurt you, you take away their power.

Sometimes you have to let go and let God, then work towards forgiveness over time.

Love,

B. Scott