My wife who is 75 years old and I belong to a Wellness Center which is owned by the community in which we live. I have been a member of the center for approximately three (3)years and intend to continue with my membership.

But my wife wishes to discontinue her membership because her schedule is preventing her from making use of the center.

Today we requested that her membership be discontinued but were advised that her membership CANNOT be cancelled except under ONE the following conditions:

1. Written notification that her physician has told
Her to stop this exercise program.
2. She has died.
3. She has moved out of the community.

We were further advised that these conditions for cancellation of membership are written in the membership contract and were explained to us when she signed the contract: CAVEAT EMPTOR!

In addition to her not being able to make use of the center, it has become a financial burden for us to continue with her membership.

What can we do?

Patrick Mackin
[email protected]

Welcome to AMHD. Just curious: how is the membership being paid? What does the contract say about default in membership payments? In what state are you?

[QUOTE=PatMack27]My wife who is 75 years old and I belong to a Wellness Center which is owned by the community in which we live. I have been a member of the center for approximately three (3)years and intend to continue with my membership.

But my wife wishes to discontinue her membership because her schedule is preventing her from making use of the center.

Today we requested that her membership be discontinued but were advised that her membership CANNOT be cancelled except under ONE the following conditions:

1. Written notification that her physician has told
Her to stop this exercise program.
2. She has died.
3. She has moved out of the community.

We were further advised that these conditions for cancellation of membership are written in the membership contract and were explained to us when she signed the contract: CAVEAT EMPTOR!

In addition to her not being able to make use of the center, it has become a financial burden for us to continue with her membership.

What can we do?


This is a contract and the terms are not unusual - I've seen them in pretty much every health club contract I've ever seen. What is the term of the membership/contract? One year, three years, five years?

I am personally always somewhat amused that you can "break" the contract with the health club if you die.

Why not just have your wife go to her Doctor, have the Doctor write a letter that he has advised her not to continue her health club membership (no other explanation) and terminate it in that manner?