I pulled out the bank statements.
“These are my grandmother’s account records for the past three years. You’ll note systematic withdrawals totaling approximately ninety-seven thousand dollars, all authorized by my parents as co-signers.”
“Here’s a credit card statement showing charges to luxury resorts in Italy. Seventeen thousand dollars charged to my grandmother’s account while my parents were on vacation.”
“Here’s a property transfer deed showing one of her rental properties transferred to my parents’ names six months before her death, signed with what my handwriting expert believes is a forged signature.”
I handed each document to the bailiff.
Judge Harris’s expression grew progressively colder as she reviewed them.
“Mr. Morrison,” she said quietly, “did you know about these transactions when you filed this petition?”
“Your Honor, I… we believed these were legitimate estate management expenses.”
“A vacation to Tuscany is estate management?”
“My clients assured me—”
“I don’t care what your clients assured you. What I care about is that you brought a petition before this court to remove the designated executor based on her alleged lack of financial sophistication while your clients were systematically looting the estate they’re now asking to control.”
“Your Honor, we can explain,” my father started.
“You’ll have an opportunity to explain to the district attorney’s office,” Judge Harris snapped. “What I’m seeing here suggests possible elder financial abuse and estate fraud.”
“Ms. Anderson, do you wish to press charges?”
I looked at my parents. Mom’s face was pale. Dad looked like he might be sick.
“I haven’t decided yet, Your Honor,” I said quietly. “I want to see how they respond to this situation first.”
Judge Harris made some notes.
“The petition for conservatorship is denied. Ms. Sarah Grace Anderson is confirmed as executor and primary beneficiary, as designated in Eleanor Anderson’s will. The court is ordering a full forensic audit of all transactions involving the deceased’s accounts for the past five years.”
“Mr. Morrison, your firm is ordered to turn over all documents and communications related to this case within forty-eight hours.”
“Your Honor—”
“Are we clear, counselor?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Good. Now, about your clients’ behavior, the court finds this petition was filed in bad faith with knowledge of facts that directly contradicted your legal arguments. I’m sanctioning your clients personally in the amount of fifty thousand dollars, payable to the estate they attempted to plunder.”
“Mr. Morrison, I’m also sanctioning your firm fifteen thousand dollars for failing to properly vet your clients’ claims. Both sanctions are due within thirty days.”
Richard Morrison looked like he wanted the floor to open and swallow him.
“Your Honor, with respect—”
“Do you really want to argue with me right now, counselor?”