 Candace Sloan, a young African-American woman lawyer, makes a claim against the estate of Horace Sloan Sr. At probate three decades earlier, the executor, Horace Jr., cheated Candace s family out of their promised heritage. The white heirs balk at reopening the will, although Horace Jr. is in favor of awarding the full amount. In a struggle with his son Lamar, Horace Jr. dies unintentionally. Lamar stages a break-in to cover his father s death and the theft of the will. In the investigation the heirs blame Candace for the break-in.