Home / Crime and Justice / Public Trustee Under Fire for Estate Spending
Public Trustee Under Fire for Estate Spending
1 Dec
Summary
- Man alleges thousands misused from wife's estate by public trustee.
- Records show vague spending descriptions for hospital incidentals.
- Family disputes control over vulnerable Nova Scotian's finances.
A dispute has arisen over the handling of a Cape Breton woman's finances after Nova Scotia's Public Trustee assumed control of her estate. Her husband alleges that thousands of dollars were spent with little oversight during her nearly two-year hospitalization. Records indicate questionable expenditures, including vague descriptions for snacks and miscellaneous items, raising concerns about financial stewardship.
The man claims that over Joan's hospital stay, her funds were depleted through numerous withdrawals with unclear purposes. Receipts from her hospital account show round-number transactions, such as $120 for 'cigs' or $300 for 'rec therapy,' with one social worker even spending $300 on pizza and decorations. This spending lacked specificity, despite forms requiring detailed descriptions.
Nova Scotia's Public Trustee manages affairs for vulnerable citizens, generally relying on designated family members. However, the husband asserts he was not the designated decision-maker and that hospital receipts were initialed by staff, not family. While the trustee's office cannot comment on specific cases, it noted that any concerns about ledgers are discussed with the substitute decision-maker. Complaints can be directed to the provincial ombudsman's office.
