Chapter 18 - The mixed findings
Judge Cross issued findings in stages.
First:
Gloria.
The court found repeated inappropriate confinement of Lizzy in the storage room.
The court found storm-night confinement continued significantly longer than Gloria admitted.
The court found food was used as punishment in ways inappropriate for Lizzy’s age and grief history.
The court found Gloria minimized conduct after discovery.
Second:
Walt.
He did not lock the door.
He knew about repeated confinement.
He failed to intervene adequately.
He was not appropriate as guardian or financial monitor at present.
Third:
Finances.
Gloria and Walt misused a portion of care funds through unauthorized personal spending and self-reimbursement.
But the court rejected my lawyer’s broader argument that every household transfer was improper.
Shared housing/food costs were legitimate to an extent.
Then:
No evidence trust principal had been stolen.
No evidence structured settlement touched.
No evidence grandparents attempted to seize future settlement.
Specific.
Then me.
Natalie demonstrated:
Safe current placement.
Insight into prior failures.
Stable employment.
Appropriate housing.
Willingness to accept oversight.
But court remained concerned about:
Limited parenting experience.
Tendency toward over-monitoring after crisis.
Need for support.
Then order.
Gloria’s permanent guardianship?
Not yet finalized.
Court suspended it for another ninety days.
Natalie appointed temporary successor guardian of person.
Financial affairs:
Harbor retains trust.
Natalie representative payee process already in place.
No independent large care-account cash withdrawals.
Supervised financial reporting quarterly for first year.
Gloria:
No unsupervised contact.
Walt:
Therapeutic contact possible if Lizzy agrees.
Then judge ordered:
Final guardianship review after ninety days.
Why not permanent now?
Because court wanted to observe stability and allow criminal/accounting matters to clarify.
Active conflict continued.
Gloria appealed the suspension order?
She filed notice but sought stay.
Stay denied.
Lizzy stayed with me.
Then criminal case.
Gloria’s lawyer used family-court findings to negotiate.
Prosecutor offered:
Plea to child endangerment.
Dismiss restraint count.
Sentence recommendation:
Probation plus short jail or home confinement left to judge.
Gloria refused.
She said:
“I will not plead guilty to abusing my granddaughter.”
Trial remained.
Then Walt’s financial repayment.
He paid his share:
$9,375.
Gloria paid hers.
Could they seek reimbursement later if appeal changed accounting?
Yes.
Funds held in restricted account pending final order.
Then Gloria tried another route.
She petitioned to remove Harbor Trust & Fiduciary.
Why?
“Bias toward Natalie.”
Harbor had suspended her distributions and provided audit documents.
Could she remove independent trustee?
Trust terms required cause.
She alleged:
Excessive interference.
Failure to monitor account earlier.
Selective treatment.
Probate court set hearing.
Another institutional fight.
Good.
Then Evan Pierce said:
“She can challenge us.”
I asked:
“Are you worried?”
“Any fiduciary should be reviewable.”
May you like
I almost liked him.
Almost.
