Some Florida residents might remember Sonny West, who was Elvis Presley’s bodyguard and best friend. He is now 78 years old, and his health is failing. Since he was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer, his medical bills have reached the level where he is now in danger of home foreclosure.
To make matters worse, his 46-year-old wife is also undergoing treatment for cancer and requires surgery. In addition to their medical bills, the couple also has additional debt of approximately $22,000. They got behind on their mortgage loan payments and were never able to catch up again.
Their financial woes have forced them to sell memorabilia West had from his time with Elvis. Sadly, West’s story is not unique. Many people across the country and here in Florida face similar issues due to the rising cost of medical care. Even with insurance, the bills can pile up quickly and can easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, depending on their illnesses or injuries. The added stress of not being able to meet financial obligations does not help with anyone’s recovery.
Many homeowners are unable to obtain loan modifications, and forbearance only serves as a band-aid to a much larger problem. Those facing home foreclosure might want to consider filing for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy to find relief not only from their mortgage lender but also from medical bills and other debts that are eligible for discharge. Either process can be complex and frustrating, so it would be in a homeowner’s best interest to consult with an attorney before filing.
Source: insideedition.com, “Former Member of Elvis Presley’s Inner Circle Faces Foreclosure Due to Mounting Medical Bills“, Johanna Li and Leigh Scheps, Dec. 2, 2016