Chapter 2 - THE ACCOUNT CLARA NEVER MANAGED
The Family Support Account had been created by Michael’s late grandfather, Arthur Ward.
Arthur believed family wealth should help with ordinary life, not only inheritance after death.
So he placed a separate fund inside the Ward Family Trust.
Purpose:
food,
childcare,
education,
medical support,
household assistance for minor descendants.
Lily qualified.
So did Clara’s older son from a previous relationship, Noah, though he was staying with his father that week.
Monthly reimbursement limit:
$12,000.
Not automatic cash.
Receipts were submitted.
Trust administrator reimbursed eligible expenses.
For years Michael handled the paperwork.
Clara never thought about it.
Groceries came in.
Childcare was paid.
Lily had clothes.
Bills were covered.
Michael would say:
“I’ll submit everything.”
Clara trusted him.
Then he started his property-maintenance company.
Ward Residential Services.
At first it did well.
Then two apartment contracts disappeared.
A commercial client stopped paying.
Michael borrowed against equipment.
He never told Clara how bad it became.
Instead, another company appeared.
Ward Family Services LLC.
Registered eighteen months earlier.
Owner:
Michael Ward.
Purpose on state filing:
household support and family logistics.
May you like
Clara stared at the registration.
The company had been billing Lily’s Family Support Account.
