Chapter 25 - Money with names
After the audit, Rebecca made me create language rules around Lizzy’s finances.
Not legally required.
Personal.
“This is Lizzy’s trust.”
Not:
Our money.
“This reimbursement is for Lizzy.”
Not:
The trust can cover it.
“This is my household expense.”
Not:
She benefits from the house too.
That last one mattered.
I paid my mortgage.
Utilities.
My own car.
Could the trust reimburse reasonable increased costs from caring for Lizzy?
Yes, under certain terms.
Sometimes it did.
Documented.
Approved.
Never assumed.
I received a modest court-approved guardian stipend after reducing work hours.
I was embarrassed initially.
Rebecca said:
“Why?”
“Because Mom used her money.”
“Exactly why compensation should be explicit.”
Good point.
The stipend was not lavish.
It replaced part of income I lost by moving from travel-heavy management to a more flexible role.
No secret martyrdom.
No future resentment built on unpaid sacrifice.
That may have been the healthiest financial lesson in the entire story.
Walt’s reimbursement payments restored what the audit required.
Gloria’s too.
No one touched the principal beyond authorized support.
At age eight, Lizzy knew she had:
“Money Mom and Dad left for school and stuff.”
Enough.
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She did not need transaction history.
Childhood should not include forensic accounting.
