Mel Owens may have been opening up about his personal life on the premiere of The Golden Bachelor, but what he didn’t reveal was that his legal struggles with his ex-wife, Fabiana Owens, are far from over.
Court filings show the former NFL star still owes nearly $1 million months after their divorce was finalized, putting him at risk of losing his Aliso Viejo, California home.
The Divorce That Keeps on Haunting Him
Mel and Fabiana’s divorce, finalized in December 2024 after a four-year court battle, included an agreement for Mel to pay Fabiana an equalization sum of $980,000.
Fabiana had waived spousal support and relinquished the marital home — a five-bedroom, three-bathroom property now valued at over $2 million.
According to court documents, Mel has only paid $40,000 of the nearly $980,000 owed.
Fabiana’s filings emphasize his continued silence about when or how he intends to pay the balance, which now accrues interest daily, totaling $978,887.67.
Court Filing Highlights Ongoing Struggles
Fabiana’s lawyer notes that Mel has consistently failed to meet court-ordered obligations, including past child and spousal support payments.
The filings also claim he is delinquent on the mortgage, further increasing her financial risk as a co-obligor.
She is now requesting that the marital home be immediately listed for sale, with proceeds applied first to the outstanding debt, attorney fees, and mortgage costs, with any remaining balance going to Mel.
Fabiana emphasizes that she has attempted to resolve matters informally, but her efforts have been met with silence.
Mel Owens’ Financial Picture
In his financial declaration, filed at the time of the divorce, Mel reported earning $1,000 per month from his former employer Namanny, Byrne & Owens, with total assets of $250,000 in accounts and $2.5 million in other real estate.
Meanwhile, he also earns additional income from appearing on The Golden Bachelor, though exact figures haven’t been disclosed.
Fabiana’s Perspective
Fabiana, who has since moved on and is in a new relationship, has expressed disinterest in her ex’s reality TV adventures.
She previously told the Daily Mail, “Good luck. I mean, it’s going to be bad. But anyway, I don’t want to be involved in this.”
Mel’s Reality TV Life
During the Golden Bachelor premiere, Mel shared his excitement and anxiety about finding love again at 66.
He met 23 women at the mansion and sent 10 home, describing the experience as “overwhelming” but focused on emotional connections rather than age.
Despite previous backlash over comments about his preferred age range for women, Mel emphasized the importance of chemistry and meaningful connections on the show.
Next Steps in Court
The legal drama isn’t over. Fabiana’s recent filings request court intervention to enforce payment and expedite the sale of the home.
An upcoming hearing next month will determine how the financial and property disputes will be resolved.