"Good morning, Mr. Moxley." Regal shook Mox's hand and motioned for him to sit down across from his desk. "I understand you wish to make a will."
Mox nodded and pulled some papers from his jacket pocket. "Yeah, it occurred to me that I've actually got an estate." He handed the papers to Regal and grunted, "I don't want…my mother to inherit by default."
"Understandable," Regal admitted. "And wise thinking on your part." He spread the two pieces of paper on his desk and read them.
"My writing isn't the best," Mox admitted with a wry smile.
"Oh, I've deciphered worse," Regal chuckled.
Executor – Roman Reigns. No restrictions. Backup executor – William Regal. Second backup – Alexa Bliss. Motorcycle to Roman Reigns. Business to Nikki Cross, Brian Kendrick, Zack Ryder. 5% of cash each to Nikki Cross, Brian Kendrick, & Zack Ryder. 30% of cash to set up foundation to protect and help abused kids. Director – Roman Reigns. Asst Dir – Seth Rollins. Legal Counsel – William Regal. 20% of cash to set up trust fund for education of abused kids. Director – Roman Reigns. Asst Dir – Seth Rollins. Legal Counsel – William Regal. 5% of cash to set up trust fund for children of Roman Reigns (probably won't need it but want them to have it). 5% to set up trust fund for children of Seth Rollins. 10% of cash left to Seth Rollins to use as he sees fit. 15% of cash left to Alexa Bliss to use as she sees fit. Minimum amount of cash as required by law left to Leah Moxley (nothing more). Balance of cash left to Roman Reigns to use as he sees fit.
Regal hummed under his breath as he read the papers a second time. "A few questions?" He looked at Mox who nodded. "When you say 'Business' to these three individuals, you mean the business itself and all the assets?"
Mox nodded. "You have to actually say that?"
Regal nodded. "Not saying it would allow…someone to challenge that you only meant the legal business. Someone could sue to obtain the equipment, building, furniture, etc."
Mox rubbed his face. "Jesus," he muttered. "Yeah, anything and everything to them."
Regal nodded and made notes on his legal pad. "Now, the foundations you mentioned. My recommendation is that we set them up now as non-profit to avoid tax liabilities and endow them with the money you've indicated you wish them to receive. This will avoid any taxes the state or Federal government might impose upon your death. While I'm doing that paperwork, you should confirm with Mr. Reigns and Mr. Rollins to be sure they wish to be the Directors; and they realize they will be serving without recompense."
Mox nodded.
"As for the trust fund, we'll need to decide on a schedule of disbursements." Regal wrote more notes. "I can provide some suggestions. And we'll need to amend the trust if Mr. Reigns has more children. I presume Mr. Rollins also has children?"
"Not yet," Mox smirked.
"Your bequest to Ms. Bliss and naming Mr. Reigns as Director of the foundations…there could be a problem as you have them listed as Executor and second back-up Executor."
"How much of a problem?" Mox demanded.
Regal sat back in his chair and frowned in thought. "Legally, very little. A challenge, however, could tie everything up in Court for longer than either of us would like. The problem is if both Mr. Reigns and I are not able to perform the duties of Executor, for whatever reason, it gives Ms. Bliss a financial incentive. That provides any challenge with an open door to claim undue influence to defraud the challenger. The same claim could be made against Mr. Reigns regarding the foundations."
"Nobody's gonna believe I was 'unduly inflenced'," Mox snorted.
"But you'll be dead, laddie. And Mr. Reigns and I won't be in a position to defend against that challenge," Regal calmly pointed out.
Mox's eyes narrowed, and he coldly smiled. "Remove Alexa and replace her with Dwayne Johnson."
'I don't know who this Dwayne Johnson is, but from that smile, I suspect any challenger is going to be in for a rough time.' Regal wrote on his legal pad. "And Mr. Reigns?"
"No offense, but I trust Roman more than anyone," Mox firmly answered. "He stays as Executor unless he decides otherwise. I trust he and you will be able to make sure anyone who…challenges this will won't succeed."
"Very well," Regal nodded. "But I advise you to discuss this with him." When Mox nodded, he continued, "There is no minimum requirement to leave to any immediate family." He held up a hand when Mox started to speak. "However, I recommend leaving a small amount to Mrs. Moxley. Should she choose to challenge your will, that small amount will show you didn't ignore her for some reason and that she received the bequest you chose to leave her."
Mox sighed. "What amount do you recommend?"
Regal's blue eyes narrowed as he considered the question. "I think $200 would be sufficient." He shrugged. "If necessary, we could show the Court credible reasons for not leaving her more."
Mox hesitated, then coldly smiled again. "Make it $500. That amount outta make it really clear."
Regal smiled as he made another note on his legal pad. "Those receiving bequests will have to pay taxes, of course, as well as those receiving disbursements from the trusts when they receive the money," he pointed out. Then he leaned back in his chair. "I know of a colleague who is very knowledgeable regarding trusts and foundations. If you wish, I can bring him in to make sure they are properly set up and as unchallengeable as possible."
Mox thought for a moment. "Sandow? The guy working on…Alexa's trust problem?"
Regal silently nodded.
"Do it," Mox agreed after a few seconds of thought.
"I'll get to work on this, and let you know when everything is ready for you to review." Regal hesitated, then continued. "Just before you arrived, I was notified by Detective Cena that Jack Moxley's body was ready to be released. Ms. Bliss is in Court today so I'm sure she has a similar message waiting for her. I wasn't sure if you or Mrs. Moxley were in charge of funeral arrangements."
"I'm doing it," Mox answered. "I'll let…my mother know."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mox didn't know how long he sat in his truck staring at the building where Regal's law offices were. Finally, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number he knew by heart.
"Mox, everything okay?"
"Yeah, listen, Regal just told me his body is ready to be released. I know you're busy but…"
"Everything's set."
Mox pulled his cell phone away from his ear and stared at it for a few seconds then replaced it next to his ear. "It is?"
Roman smiled at the confusion in his brother's voice. "Bearer Mortuary is going to handle preparing the body for burial. I just need to give them a call."
"What about a cemetery plot?"
"Dad bought a bunch of plots at Summerville Cemetery back when we were in high school," Roman answered. "I'll use one of them."
"Roman…" Mox took a deep breath. "You didn't have to…"
"Jon."
Mox's shoulders slumped. He knew he had no defense when Roman said his name in that tone of voice. Roman's mother had used that same tone of voice with him more than once.
"If you want something different, that's okay," Roman gently spoke. "I just wanted to take some of the stress off your shoulders."
"Thank you," Mox whispered.
"Hey, brothers don't keep score, remember?" Roman weakly joked. "Anything you want me to tell the mortuary?"
"Funeral as soon as possible," Mox decided.
"Day after tomorrow at 11am? Graveside service?"
"Works for me." Mox stared out the front windshield at nothing in particular. "Make sure whoever is saying whatever words over him they understand to keep it short."
"Will do," Roman promised. 'And I'll make sure Paul understands he was a miserable SOB and nobody's really grieving.'
"I'll call…her and let her know," Mox said, straightening his shoulders. "Then I'll be home. Want me to bring anything?"
"Just your charming self."
Mox snorted and hung up. He quickly scrolled through his contacts list and dialed Leah's number.
"Hello?"
"It's me. His body's been released. Bearer Mortuary is picking it up and handling everything. Funeral is day after tomorrow at 11am at Summerville Cemetery. Do you want me to send a limo for you to take you there and bring you home?" Mox crisply spoke.
"I...I don't know…that would cost extra and…"
"I got it covered," Mox interrupted.
"Oh. I'll pay you back as I can."
"Don't. All I need to know is if you want the limo." Mox rubbed his forehead. "Or I can pick you up."
"I'd…rather you do it if it's not a bother." Leah barely spoke above a whisper.
"I'll pick you up at 10:30 day after tomorrow." Before Mox could hand up, he heard her quietly say 'thank you'.
Mox disconnected the call and resisted the temptation to throw the phone at the dashboard. "Stop saying that," he muttered.
Reclining on her couch, Leah stared at the ceiling and contentedly smiled.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Roman sat at his desk for several minutes, absently drumming his fingers on the top of his desk. Then he reached for his phone and sent a text to Jericho.
'Set up a sit-down face to face meeting with Helmsley for next week.'
