101-year-oldDetroitwoman evicted in foreclosure

AP – Tue, Sep 13, 2011

We all like to think that our elders will grow old peacefully in their homes.  But things can happen: good, bad or simply neglect can result in some very sad situations.  What if this were your mother or grandmother living with a family member who was supposed to be the responsible individual looking after these matters such as paying the mortgage and just didn’t?

Now the frail old woman is out of the house she’s lived in for decades.  What happens in these situations?  This AP story has told us a conclusion.  But what if it were your mother/grandfather or other elder family member.  What can you do?  Suggestions? Similar story?  Answers?  Let TKP hear from you.

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DETROIT (AP) — A 101-year-old woman was evicted from the southwest Detroit home where she lived for nearly six decades after her 65-year-old son failed to pay the mortgage.

Texana Hollis was evicted Monday and her belongings were placed outside the home. Her son, Warren Hollis, said he didn’t pay the bill for several years and disregarded eviction notices.

“I kept it from her because I didn’t want to worry her,” Warren Hollis told WXYZ-TV for a report that aired Monday night. “I was just so sure it wasn’t going to happen.”

Wayne County Chief Deputy Treasurer David Szymanski told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Hollises took out an adjustable-rate mortgage in 2002. A default and foreclosure notice was filed in November.

“They ended up owing $80,000 on the home,” Szymanski said. “Warrenindicates he did not make the payments. He got the notices, but threw them away.”

County records show that property taxes were paid on the home through summer 2010. A winter tax bill of $55.95, including interest and fees, was unpaid, and a $778.44 summer tax bill was due this month.

A neighbor was letting Texana and Warren Hollis live in a rental house across the street from the home they shared, and Texana Hollis’ belongings were being moved there. Others, including a nonprofit organization, were working to get her back into her home.

On Monday night, she was taken to a hospital for evaluation after she became disoriented.