Shock update in King Richard’s battle over Serena Williams’ rotting childhood home as estranged wife steps up fight
SERENA Williams’ father 'King Richard' may keep the rotting Florida home where he raised his daughters despite allegedly giving it away to his estranged wife for just 10 dollars.
Richard Williams, 80, has been embroiled in a bitter legal battle with the tennis star's stepmom Lakeisha Williams for the last five years.
He accused his estranged wife of forging his signature on title deeds to sign the Florida property over to her.
Lakeisha, 43, then approached so-called hard lender David Simon, who loaned her $279,000, which she spent on a failed trucking business.
The four-bedroom home, valued at $1.45million, was due to be auctioned on 18 February this year, with most of the proceeds going to Simon, who is owed $513,213.67 including interest.
But, the day before, Lakeisha filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and stalled the sale.
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The bankruptcy case was dismissed on July 5 and the mansion was due to be put up for auction, but she had 14 days to appeal the decision.
She has now filed a motion to have the case reinstated as she says she’s found the funds to carry out the payment plan.
Lakeisha had previously fallen behind on the debt repayment plan, which was to be over $8,000 for the next five years.
Her attorney D&S Law Group states that the “debtor has provided undersigned counsel, and undersigned counsel is holdings cleared funds bringing her current on there plan payments, which undersigned counsel will mail to the Trustee’s lockbox if the case is reinstated”.
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The case is now due to be heard on September 8 at 1pm via Zoom.
Richard had also launched legal proceedings for up to $1 million in compensation from Lakeisha, but that was thrown out by the US Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida.
The roof looks to have been haphazardly repaired dozens of times while there’s an abandoned truck on the property and crumbling outbuildings.
Simon has previously claimed that the property had fallen into disrepair and that it’s currently uninsurable due to its condition.
He stated in court docs that the “debtor is not providing adequate protection of Secured Creditor’s collateral, the House.
"The House is uninsured, the roof is leaking, and the collateral is in jeopardy of total loss.”
'FALLEN INTO DISREPAIR'
Cars appear to have been abandoned, the bathrooms are in a “dirty state”, and air conditioning units are reportedly falling apart.
He also claimed that Lakeisha’s financial plan to pay back $11,000 each month was never going to materialize as she relied solely on money from her aunt, Betty Downing, who also lived at the property."
A motion to dismiss the case alleged: “Moreover, the Debtor does not have sufficient disposable income needed to cure the mortgage default.
";Although her income appears to be significant, the Debtor spends all her income on fast food and frivolities.
"The Debtor’s post-filing bank account statements reflect that the Debtor has increased her income and increased her spending. She cannot afford to make an $11,000/month payment.”
Lakeisha admitted in her deposition that she relied solely on Downing for money, who also lived at the property.
Williams still faces losing the property he bought in 1995 for $355,000 with Serena's mom Oracene, before they divorced in 2002.
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Last month, Williams' divorce from Lakeisha appeared to be back on, with him suing for $1million.
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In court docs, it was revealed that former tennis coach Richard had suffered two strokes and his doctor said he had dementia and irreparable brain damage.
