Chapter 7 - The Foundation Began Charging Nora’s Trust for Things I Did Not Understand
The first questionable distribution was:
$84,000.
I saw it because the quarterly trust report included a line:
Guardian residence modifications / child security and educational needs.
I called Mom.
“What is eighty-four thousand?”
She answered casually:
“Security upgrades.”
“For what?”
“The house.”
“Why does Nora’s trust pay for your house?”
“Because Nora lives here.”
“What security upgrades cost eighty-four thousand dollars?”
“Gate.”
“Cameras.”
“Window work.”
“Safe room.”
I nearly laughed.
“Safe room?”
“Keith, Laura’s death put us in the press.”
“Donors know where I live.”
“Nora has money.”
“Security is appropriate.”
Maybe.
Possibly.
But all of it?
I emailed the independent trustee.
They replied that the distribution had been approved based on:
guardian request,
security assessment,
proportional allocation related to the beneficiary’s residence.
Proportional.
Not whole cost.
Fine.
Still uncomfortable.
Then:
$46,000
for educational consulting and private tutoring.
Nora attended a good private school.
Tutoring could be legitimate.
Then:
$31,500
in household staffing allocated to her care.
Nanny?
Driver?
Chef proportion?
Again, perhaps.
I asked:
questions.
Howard called.
“Stop micromanaging.”
“It’s Nora’s money.”
“It is being spent on Nora.”
“Then explain it.”
“You’re not a trustee.”
Correct.
I backed off.
May you like
That was clue two.
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