The Williams family’s childhood Florida home, a symbol of their early journey to greatness, faces foreclosure as legal and financial battles persist. This Palm Beach Gardens property, once a haven for tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, their father Richard Williams, and his first wife Oracene Price, is now at the center of a growing dispute.
Lakeisha Williams, Richard’s estranged third wife, filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in April in an effort to prevent foreclosure and buy time to repay a defaulted loan exceeding $470,000. The home, originally purchased for just over $355,000, now has a mortgage lender seeking foreclosure due to non-payment.
David Simon, the lender, has petitioned the court to dismiss Lakeisha’s bankruptcy case, citing her discretionary spending habits. Despite claiming financial hardship, Simon alleges she spends her income on unnecessary expenses instead of addressing the $11,000 monthly mortgage payments.
The ongoing legal saga dates back to 2017, when Richard Williams filed for divorce from Lakeisha after seven years of marriage. The estranged couple, who share a nine-year-old son, have been embroiled in disputes over the property. Richard has accused Lakeisha of forging his signature to remove his name from the house deed and of neglecting the home, allowing it to fall into significant disrepair.
According to court filings, the house now lacks insurance due to its poor condition and is highly vulnerable to windstorm damage. Without intervention, the property may be auctioned, with proceeds covering the defaulted loan, additional debts accrued by Lakeisha, and a potential payout to Richard Williams.
Richard Williams, celebrated for coaching Venus and Serena to unparalleled tennis success, was immortalized in the 2021 biographical film King Richard. The movie, starring Will Smith, showcased his relentless drive and vision for his daughters’ careers, earning Smith an Academy Award for Best Actor.
This unfolding situation paints a complex picture of family, legacy, and financial challenges, offering a glimpse into the struggles behind the Williams family’s rise to greatness. As the court deliberates, the future of this iconic property—and the memories it holds—remains uncertain.
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