Chapter 20 - What could be recovered
I consulted a civil attorney.
Not because I wanted my mother arrested.
Because I wanted to understand whether money could or should be recovered.
The answer was messy.
Direct gifts I knowingly authorized?
Usually gifts.
Even if I later disliked why I gave them.
Money obtained through specific false representations?
Potential civil claims might exist, depending on proof.
Authorized-user purchases?
Facts mattered.
Did Diane have broad permission?
Was the spending outside it?
Was there evidence of deception?
Legal action would cost money.
Time.
Family exposure.
We negotiated instead.
Diane agreed to reimburse $6,500 related to clearly personal card charges over a two-year period.
Not every disputed dollar.
Rachel agreed to repay $9,000 tied to three larger transfers where she admitted she knew the stated emergency was inaccurate.
Payment plan.
$250 monthly.
No interest if current.
People expected me to demand $50,000.
I could not honestly claim all $50,000 had been stolen.
Much of it had been given under a dysfunctional but real family understanding.
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The settlement reflected the strongest disputed amounts.
Accuracy again.
