NOVEMBER 2009

Let's make an example.

A mother dies leaving a meager estate of $10,000 cash. The money goes to a trust as directed by the will. The beneficiaries of the trust are the four daughters of deceased. The trustee is the least honest of the daughters.

The directions of the trust are to distribute the assets equally between the four daughters but the crooked daughter, in collusion with an unethical attorney gives outrageous 'bonuses' to the deceased friends---one bonus in the amount of $1,000. This 'trustee' also pays her daughter-in-laws family $1600 to serve coffee at the funeral. Then she buys airline tickets and car rentals for her niece. This amounts to over $3500.

So what's left for the actual beneficiaries after this travesty? Do the math. Then deduct the fees from the attorney necessary to protect the trustee...he writes threatening letters to the beneficiaries to protect his cash cow.

Is that ethical?