Massachusetts Lawyer Blog

Boston.com article, "Mass. woman kills self before home foreclosure," reports:

A 53-year-old wife and mother fatally shot herself shortly after faxing a letter to her mortgage company saying that by the time they foreclosed on her house that day, she would be dead.

According the the article, her husband did not know the foreclosure was scheduled today because his wife took care of the bills and mail.  The article also indicates the woman may have thought that life insurance proceeds could be used to pay for the home -- this isn't true.  No life insurance company that I'm aware of is going to pay any amount of an insurance policy for a suicide claim.  Let me be clear, suicide in not a solution.  This tragedy does, however, speak to the problem being faced by many -- times are financially tough and many people don't know what to do.

I'm seeing more despair and anxiety in my Weymouth law office with both new and old clients.  Often I'm meeting with distressed individuals, families, and business owners who break down in tears as they tell their story.  Many are relieved just by talking to someone or by getting their problems off their chest.  Later, when they learn alternatives to bankruptcy and foreclosure may exist for them, they ask, "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

If you are feeling overwhelmed by debt, the harassing phone calls, and threatening letters, then you need to seek help. You deserve the opportunity to explore all of your available options and to do so with an objective adviser.  There should be no guilt, or shame, or judgment associated with doing this.  Getting help is the responsible thing to do and it can often put you on the path toward a fresh start.  A new beginning without the burden and distraction of constant worry and anxiety could be right in front of you without you even knowing it.