King Richard’s divorce battle is back ON with Serena Williams’ stepmom ‘demanding $500K in legal fees after losing home’
KING Richard Williams’ divorce to his wife appears to be back on – just two months after she pumped the breaks citing their “sizzling sex life.”
Serena Williams’ dad was going through a messy split with her stepmom Lakeisha until she dramatically called a halt to proceedings after a night of passion on January 9 this year.
But now it appears the bitter divorce is back ON with Richard suing Lakeisha for $1million – and now she’s counter claiming for legal fees and other “relief”, which could run up to $500,000.
The pair have been at war over their marital property in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, which ex legendary tennis coach Richard says was passed over to Lakeisha for just ten bucks as she faked his signature on the title deeds.
King Richard
She then spent $279,000 on a failed trucking business and the four-bedroom property was due to go up for auction, but a Chapter 13 bankruptcy claim by Lakeisha delayed the sale.
Richard wants the money from the house sale plus attorney costs, but Lakeisha is denying all claims in the lawsuit filed at the US Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Florida.
She says the suit should be thrown out and not heard in a bankruptcy court because of their continuing divorce proceedings, suggesting that the pair are still planning to permanently break up.
The Sun has reached out to Lakeisha’s lawyer for comment.
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She also denies all his claims that she forged his signature, but gave the property to her as “pursuant to a temporary support obligation, and in advance of the equitable distribution of marital assets”, according to filings.
The 43-year-old – who is 37 years younger than Richard – added that the house was handed over as part of his child support obligations to their son Dylan, ten.
New court documents for the $1million lawsuit read: “Lakeisha asserts that the property which is the subject of this lawsuit is marital property and since the parties are currently parties to a divorce proceeding pending in Palm Beach County, the Bankruptcy Court does not have jurisdiction over, nor is the Bankruptcy Court the proper venue for this proceeding.
“The Plaintiff intended to convey the Property to Lakeisha, the Defendant, [who] acted in accordance with the Plaintiff’s specific instructions, with his knowledge, approval and assent.
“Plaintiff appointed the Defendant Lakeisha as his attorney in fact, to effectuate the transfer of the Property to the Defendant Lakeisha consistent with his stated intent.
“The Mortgage that is the subject of this lawsuit was placed on the Property, with the specific knowledge and assent of the Plaintiff, purposefully done at his instructions, in order to provide the Defendant Lakeisha with cash to start a business, to generate support.
YEARS-LONG FEUD
“The Property was transferred in accordance with the Plaintiff‘s instructions in order to satisfy [in part] his obligations of support alimony and child support consistent with Florida law.
“Lakeisha Williams respectfully requests a judgement denying the relief requested in the Complaint, an award of attorneys fees, costs and such further relief as the Court deems just.”
Richard bought the property in 1995 for $355,000 with Serena’s mom Oracene, before they divorced in 2002, and he retained the place as part of the break up deal.
The legendary tennis coach, portrayed by Will Smith in the Hollywood biopic, has been at war with his spouse for years, with Richard claiming in court docs she’d remortgaged by faking his signature and he ended up handing over the place for just ten bucks.
Lakeisha then approached ‘hard lender’ David Simon for $279,000 which she spent on her failed business, according to court filings.
Richard says in court filings that instead of giving Simon back the money she owes, which now totals $517,000 including interest, he is demanding that amount plus his lawyer’s costs, which could easily double it, to go over the one million mark.
In court docs, Richard’s lawyer Thomas Gruseck states: “The defendant, Lakeisha Williams, is one hundred percent at fault, by virtue of her improper actions as set forth above, for the encumbrance reducing the net value of the Plaintiff’s subject property by virtue of the mortgage in favor of David Simon.
“Plaintiff has retained undersigned counsel to prosecute this claim and promised to pay him a reasonable fee for his services. However, Plaintiff should not have to bear the cost of undoing the results of Defendant’s wrongful conduct, and attorney’s fees and costs are a part of a claim for common-law indemnification.
“Judgement should be entered in favor of Plaintiff against the Defendant Lakeisha Williams, for the full amount necessary to pay off the mortgage in favor of Defendant David Simon, trustee.”
King Richard
The Sun previously revealed Richard is now living in a new home in the same city, which is owned by their daughter Serena, who paid $815,000 for the one-story property in June 2015.
The place is perfect for Richard’s reported fragile state, all on one floor, and has four bedrooms, and five bathrooms, with over 4,160 square feet of room.
Despite claims he has an active sex life, his son was given power of attorney over his father who is reportedly “incapacitated” following two strokes which has left him barely able to talk.
