Divide Woman Reaches Deadline For Eviction

A Teller County woman given two deadlines for moving out of her home made it through the first deadline Friday without being forced to leave.

For the past month, KRDO Newschannel 13 has followed the ordeal of “Charlotte,” a woman who requests that her true identity be concealed because of what she describes as her late husband’s top-secret career as an Air Force officer.

Charlotte’s husband died last year, and she learned that she didn’t qualify for his military benefits because the couple’s common law-marriage wasn’t recognized by the military. The couple’s home near the small town of Divide went into foreclosure with Wells Fargo Bank and recently was purchased by Bank of America.

Charlotte said a real estate agent told her this week that she had to move out by Friday, Aug. 12, or eviction proceedings would begin. She also said a military representative told her she has until Sept. 2 to leave. The couple originally purchased the home through a Veterans Administration loan.

“There’s no way I can be out that fast,” Charlotte said she told the messengers. “I’m disabled; my folks are ill. They want me to sign papers to give me cash, for keys to leave my home and give me some monetary support.”

Charlotte said she planned to seek an injunction in court Friday to halt any eviction action. She said she recently learned that her husband was listed as on active duty, and not as retired, before his death. The distinction, she said, could warrant a review of her case and make her eligible for some benefits.

Charlotte also said she’s seeking help from a new nonprofit organization called Angel Investors, which provides financial assistance to people in similar situations. However, she said Bank of America and the military have not responded to the possibility of financial assistance.

Angel Investors representative Brett Ryder said Charlotte is in a difficult situation and can’t guarantee he’ll be able to help. Bank of America officials said they are investigating the matter.