1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:01,667 [Judy] You take the dog to a groomer 2 00:00:01,767 --> 00:00:03,266 -and there's an accident. -Mhm. 3 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:05,934 I was always happy with the results, 4 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:08,100 but this day, it kind of turned into a nightmare. 5 00:00:08,166 --> 00:00:10,967 His activity has declined. He's not the same. 6 00:00:11,033 --> 00:00:14,266 His mobility isn't the same because of the incident that they caused. 7 00:00:14,333 --> 00:00:15,867 You're not an expert. 8 00:00:15,967 --> 00:00:17,934 It's because of the accident that they caused. 9 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:21,800 -Get me a vet. -[announcer] This is Judy Justice. 10 00:00:22,433 --> 00:00:23,433 [theme music] 11 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:45,100 [announcer] Ktina Jones is suing her former dog groomer, Diana Torres, 12 00:00:45,166 --> 00:00:50,033 for vet bills and damages from negligent dog grooming services. 13 00:00:50,133 --> 00:00:52,166 [Kevin] Court come to order. All rise. 14 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:55,834 Have a seat, please. 15 00:00:58,166 --> 00:01:00,233 Case 3141, Jones versus Torres. 16 00:01:00,333 --> 00:01:01,367 -Thank you. -[Kevin] You're welcome. 17 00:01:01,433 --> 00:01:05,900 [Judy] Ms. Jones, you have a dog that you alleged was injured 18 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,367 when you took the dog into the defendant's 19 00:01:08,433 --> 00:01:10,333 -grooming place of business. -Correct. 20 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:12,934 You've used the defendant's facilities before? 21 00:01:13,433 --> 00:01:15,367 -Yes, ma'am. -[Judy] She's groomed your dog before? 22 00:01:15,433 --> 00:01:18,266 -What kind of a dog is it? -I have a Maltese. He's three years old. 23 00:01:18,367 --> 00:01:22,000 [Judy] And how long have you been taking it to the defendant's store? 24 00:01:22,066 --> 00:01:23,734 [Ktina] Maybe two years now. 25 00:01:23,834 --> 00:01:26,166 -[Judy] How often? Is it a male dog? -Yes, ma'am. 26 00:01:26,500 --> 00:01:29,934 [Judy] How many times a year do you take him to be groomed? 27 00:01:30,033 --> 00:01:34,033 I try to take him for a haircut every… between, like, every eight weeks, 28 00:01:34,100 --> 00:01:36,567 because I groom him in between, with baths and things like that. 29 00:01:36,667 --> 00:01:38,066 And you've never had a problem? 30 00:01:38,433 --> 00:01:39,400 -[Ktina] No, not… -Before? 31 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:42,667 -…with them, not up until this day. -[Judy] Do you do the grooming yourself? 32 00:01:42,734 --> 00:01:45,834 Myself or my other groomers, whoever she books. 33 00:01:45,900 --> 00:01:48,533 Because we have a booking system, so she either calls 34 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:52,734 and whatever groomer has an availability will book the dog under the groomer. 35 00:01:52,834 --> 00:01:56,100 On the day in question, were you the groomer for the dog? 36 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:59,166 I wasn't at the beginning, but at the end, I was the… 37 00:01:59,233 --> 00:02:01,166 I'm the one who finished the groom, correct. 38 00:02:01,266 --> 00:02:03,400 -Was that after the dog was injured? -[Diana] Correct. 39 00:02:03,467 --> 00:02:05,734 -Yes, after the dog was injured. -Who was the groomer? 40 00:02:06,100 --> 00:02:08,433 [Diana] A groomer… a seasoned groomer that we had. 41 00:02:08,500 --> 00:02:11,400 [Judy] What was the date of this visit where the dog was injured? 42 00:02:11,467 --> 00:02:15,300 It was November 22nd, before Thanksgiving. 43 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:18,266 -Did she ask for a specific groomer? -No. 44 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:22,967 [Judy] What kind of a license do you need in order to groom dogs? 45 00:02:23,066 --> 00:02:25,433 [Diana] In the State of Texas, you do not need a license. 46 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:27,333 Now, why don't you tell me what happened 47 00:02:27,433 --> 00:02:30,600 when Ms. Jones brought her dog in to be groomed? 48 00:02:30,667 --> 00:02:35,333 You say you finished the grooming. How did you start the grooming? 49 00:02:35,734 --> 00:02:40,667 So, the dog was dropped off and we initially take the dog in, 50 00:02:40,767 --> 00:02:43,767 check in, and she'd let us know what she wanted done. 51 00:02:43,834 --> 00:02:46,967 -Who did you expect to groom your dog? -Ms. Diana. 52 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:49,600 -[Judy] Had she usually groomed your dog? -[Ktina] Yes, ma'am. 53 00:02:49,667 --> 00:02:53,467 [Judy] Now, she dropped the dog off November 22nd. 54 00:02:53,567 --> 00:02:56,133 -Yes, ma'am. -It was a pretty crazy, hectic… 55 00:02:56,233 --> 00:02:57,900 -[Judy] Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. -…day before Thanksgiving. Uh-huh. 56 00:02:57,967 --> 00:02:59,467 -[Diana] Okay. -[Judy] Keep going. 57 00:02:59,567 --> 00:03:02,734 [Diana] He was matted because the dog hadn't been seen two months prior. 58 00:03:03,066 --> 00:03:06,133 Ms. Jones… she said she's been a customer for two years, 59 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:09,467 and only has come in six times, which we have documented. 60 00:03:09,734 --> 00:03:12,667 And every time she would come in, we would either need to do a neatening up. 61 00:03:12,734 --> 00:03:13,800 -[Judy] Listen to me. -Mhm. 62 00:03:13,867 --> 00:03:18,033 He started working on the dog and then he cut the dog. 63 00:03:18,133 --> 00:03:21,533 The dog got bathed. And then when he was grooming the dog, it was almost done. 64 00:03:22,300 --> 00:03:27,166 The last part that he had to do was remove a mat from underneath his leg. 65 00:03:27,233 --> 00:03:32,500 And which was where the… where the incident happened. 66 00:03:32,567 --> 00:03:34,700 Well, it was more than just an incident, Ms. Torres. 67 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:38,500 -The dewclaw got cut. -[Judy] Correct. And that's a big deal. 68 00:03:38,567 --> 00:03:41,533 -Yes. -What did you do after you… 69 00:03:41,633 --> 00:03:44,567 'cause then you looked at the dog 'cause the dog probably yelped? 70 00:03:44,667 --> 00:03:46,166 -Yeah. The dog… -[Judy] Yes. You… 71 00:03:46,233 --> 00:03:48,033 We were in a grooming salon… in a grooming room. 72 00:03:48,133 --> 00:03:50,800 [Diana] So I was grooming my dog and I heard the dog yelp. 73 00:03:50,867 --> 00:03:55,734 So I looked up and I ran… I walked over there and I pressed… applied pressure. 74 00:03:55,834 --> 00:03:57,367 And I told my groomer assistant, 75 00:03:57,433 --> 00:04:01,934 "Hey, can you call… Pedro, and tell him what happened?" 76 00:04:02,033 --> 00:04:04,600 Because in order to take the dog to get seen from any vet, 77 00:04:04,700 --> 00:04:08,033 we need consent from the owner because we can't just take a dog… 78 00:04:08,100 --> 00:04:09,100 -[Judy] Right. -…to the vet. 79 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:10,934 -So… -[Diana] Pedro ended up calling Ms. Jones, 80 00:04:11,033 --> 00:04:15,433 let her know what happened, so we can get approval that we could take the dog there. 81 00:04:15,533 --> 00:04:18,700 -What did they tell you when they called? -[Ktina] When he called me, 82 00:04:18,767 --> 00:04:21,633 he told me that there had been an incident and Ace was in animal hospital. 83 00:04:21,934 --> 00:04:23,900 He never once asked me, "Was it okay?" 84 00:04:23,967 --> 00:04:24,800 -He told me… -[Judy] No, no, no, no, no. 85 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:29,066 I just want you to tell me what you were told about the dog. 86 00:04:29,133 --> 00:04:31,967 He told me that he had a accident and he had been cut. 87 00:04:32,066 --> 00:04:34,767 His nail was cut off too short. He told me it was the dewclaw, 88 00:04:34,867 --> 00:04:38,233 which I wasn't familiar with the actual medical term of a dewclaw, 89 00:04:38,300 --> 00:04:39,433 so I began to look it up. 90 00:04:39,533 --> 00:04:42,400 During the phone call, we stayed on the phone for eight minutes. 91 00:04:42,467 --> 00:04:44,467 He informed me that it wasn't a big deal. 92 00:04:44,567 --> 00:04:46,633 I asked him "Was he in pain?" Was like, "What's going on?" 93 00:04:46,734 --> 00:04:48,233 He said "No, he didn't even notice." 94 00:04:48,300 --> 00:04:50,800 -So from my understanding, he… -[Judy] Now, just a second. 95 00:04:50,900 --> 00:04:53,433 -So then they took the dog to the vet? -[Ktina] He was already at the vet. 96 00:04:53,900 --> 00:04:55,467 When he called me he was already at the vet. 97 00:04:55,567 --> 00:05:00,533 Great, which is responsible thing for them to do. So they took the dog to the vet 98 00:05:00,633 --> 00:05:02,867 -and he was cared for? -Right. 99 00:05:02,967 --> 00:05:06,200 And then when he came back from the vet, you finished the grooming? 100 00:05:06,300 --> 00:05:07,533 No. So, the… 101 00:05:07,633 --> 00:05:09,800 [Judy] You finished the grooming before you took him to the vet? 102 00:05:09,867 --> 00:05:15,100 No, I finished the groom after Ms. Jones had brought the dog back from the vet. 103 00:05:15,700 --> 00:05:18,600 Because the vet gave her care to take care of the wound 104 00:05:18,667 --> 00:05:21,133 during the Thanksgiving holiday. 105 00:05:21,433 --> 00:05:25,200 And they told her what she needed to do in order to take care of the injury. 106 00:05:25,333 --> 00:05:28,433 [Judy] Okay. So now, they've acted responsibly. 107 00:05:28,500 --> 00:05:31,934 They've taken the dog to the vet immediately. 108 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:33,333 -[Ktina] Mhm. -They contacted you. 109 00:05:33,433 --> 00:05:35,500 -Did you get a vet bill? -Correct. 110 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:36,433 How much? 111 00:05:36,533 --> 00:05:39,200 [Ktina] So I wanna say the first one was, like, maybe 144. 112 00:05:39,300 --> 00:05:43,467 The second one was probably 120 or somewhere, just ballparking it. 113 00:05:43,533 --> 00:05:45,100 Did you pay for the vet bills? 114 00:05:45,166 --> 00:05:47,533 Yes, we paid for the bill and we comped the groom. 115 00:05:47,633 --> 00:05:49,633 [Judy] Just a second. So they paid for the vet bills? 116 00:05:49,700 --> 00:05:52,100 -[Ktina] Mhm. -[Judy] And they also, according to her, 117 00:05:52,166 --> 00:05:55,166 she just volunteered that they did not charge you for the grooming? 118 00:05:55,266 --> 00:05:56,166 Right. 119 00:05:56,233 --> 00:05:59,667 [Judy] So they acknowledged that it was their fault that the dog got cut 120 00:06:00,166 --> 00:06:02,066 by comping the grooming and paying for the vet bills? 121 00:06:02,166 --> 00:06:03,333 -Right. -[Judy] So far, 122 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:07,567 you've done everything appropriately. What are you suing her for? 123 00:06:07,667 --> 00:06:11,266 -[theme music] -This is nonsense. 124 00:06:11,700 --> 00:06:15,500 This doesn't support your argument that the dog has problems related to that. 125 00:06:15,567 --> 00:06:17,567 It said, "Could be from a lot of things." 126 00:06:17,667 --> 00:06:19,333 I won't know. But they did say it could be a infection. 127 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,367 Well, I don't know. Well, I'm not a mind reader, madam. 128 00:06:21,433 --> 00:06:23,100 -[laughs] Yes. -[Judy] I can't fill in the future. 129 00:06:23,266 --> 00:06:24,533 [announcer] And later today… 130 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,367 [Judy] He was supposed to pay for the mortgage. Why are you going after her? 131 00:06:27,433 --> 00:06:31,567 Because the original… with them, when they were buying the home, 132 00:06:31,867 --> 00:06:35,200 I don't think that it was just him paying the mortgage. 133 00:06:35,266 --> 00:06:36,700 -If he got… -I don't care what you think. 134 00:06:40,100 --> 00:06:41,367 [theme music] 135 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:51,367 [announcer] Ktina Jones claims her former dog groomer, Diana Torres, 136 00:06:51,433 --> 00:06:57,100 owes for vet bills and damages after her employee injured Ktina's dog. 137 00:06:57,200 --> 00:07:01,033 -I don't know what you're suing for. -So his activity has declined. 138 00:07:01,233 --> 00:07:05,500 He's not the same. His mobility isn't the same. His daily activities that he do, 139 00:07:05,967 --> 00:07:07,767 -he doesn't do it like he used to. -[Judy] Like what? 140 00:07:07,834 --> 00:07:11,934 His running, him playing at our apartment. He have, like, this ramp that he jump up. 141 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,467 He's not able to jump up as high. He don't jump off things 142 00:07:14,567 --> 00:07:16,633 -as high as he would before. -Well, that's a good thing. 143 00:07:16,734 --> 00:07:18,500 [Ktina] And he always holds up his foot. 144 00:07:18,667 --> 00:07:21,166 So he's, like, his daily activities, his mobility, 145 00:07:21,300 --> 00:07:23,734 he don't run as fast, and he will hold up his foot. 146 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:25,033 -And? -[Ktina] And that… 147 00:07:25,133 --> 00:07:28,266 and I think it has stemmed… and vets have confirmed that it has stemmed, 148 00:07:28,333 --> 00:07:30,166 from the incident of him cutting off the dewclaw 149 00:07:30,266 --> 00:07:32,266 because it wasn't correctly removed. 150 00:07:32,367 --> 00:07:35,000 And not only when they cut it off, it became infected. 151 00:07:35,266 --> 00:07:36,800 So they treated it. They gave me antibiotic. 152 00:07:36,900 --> 00:07:38,300 -[Ktina] They gave me what I need. -[speaks indistinctly] 153 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:41,100 [Judy] Now, just a sec. They took the dog to the vet. You went there. 154 00:07:41,166 --> 00:07:43,433 -You authorized that. They paid for it. -Mhm. 155 00:07:43,500 --> 00:07:48,033 [Judy] I'm still trying to figure out… They've done the right thing with the dog. 156 00:07:48,133 --> 00:07:49,600 -[Ktina] Right. Yes. -They were negligent, 157 00:07:49,667 --> 00:07:51,166 and that's why they paid for the vet bill. 158 00:07:51,266 --> 00:07:52,834 And because of the incident, 159 00:07:52,934 --> 00:07:55,266 because of the accident of them cutting off his dewclaw, 160 00:07:55,433 --> 00:07:57,166 it has caused damages that's gonna last him a longtime. 161 00:07:57,266 --> 00:07:58,166 [Judy] I don't know that. 162 00:07:58,266 --> 00:07:59,667 -You have a vet here to tell me? -[Ktina] I have… 163 00:07:59,767 --> 00:08:02,033 -I have, yes, I have… -Shh. Listen to me. Listen to me. 164 00:08:02,533 --> 00:08:04,166 -You are not an expert. -I'm not. 165 00:08:04,233 --> 00:08:08,233 [Judy] Right. What you're talking about is a diminished life because of this. 166 00:08:08,734 --> 00:08:10,867 His activity is different. 167 00:08:10,967 --> 00:08:15,667 So all I'm hearing is he can't jump up and he can't run as fast as he used to. 168 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:17,500 And it's because of the accident that they caused. 169 00:08:17,567 --> 00:08:20,867 [Judy] Just a second. You want $10,000 for your dog's disability? 170 00:08:20,967 --> 00:08:22,967 He needs additional treatment, so… 171 00:08:23,033 --> 00:08:27,567 Get me a vet to tell me what kind of additional treatment he needs. 172 00:08:27,667 --> 00:08:29,800 I have it here, and I have highlighted as well. 173 00:08:29,867 --> 00:08:33,300 -[Judy] Okay. I'm gonna take a look at it. -[Ktina] And the credible source is here… 174 00:08:33,367 --> 00:08:35,200 No, no, don't give me a whole bunch of stuff. 175 00:08:35,300 --> 00:08:36,233 -Okay. -[Judy] Just give me 176 00:08:36,333 --> 00:08:37,867 -what I asked you for. -This. 177 00:08:46,033 --> 00:08:50,300 [Judy] It says, "If the nail looks normal and is not grow…" This is from the doctor. 178 00:08:50,667 --> 00:08:54,000 Wait, and from Penn Vet. Actually, they're pretty good people. 179 00:08:54,500 --> 00:08:57,667 "There is no evidence of redness or swelling or pain in the area, 180 00:08:57,900 --> 00:09:00,700 this could be something not related to the nail. 181 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:05,233 Other causes of decreased mobility could be neck or back pain. 182 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:08,934 There is also a potential that he could have an infection of the bone 183 00:09:09,033 --> 00:09:14,100 that the nail grows out of, and the only way to determine that would be an X-ray." 184 00:09:14,233 --> 00:09:15,367 Is that what you want me to read? 185 00:09:15,433 --> 00:09:16,533 -Right. And I have… -[Judy] Who cares? 186 00:09:17,533 --> 00:09:18,934 -Who cares? -[Ktina laughs] 187 00:09:19,066 --> 00:09:21,367 I have another documentation here from a credible source. 188 00:09:21,433 --> 00:09:22,533 -[Judy] Just a second. -Mhm. 189 00:09:22,700 --> 00:09:26,367 If you tell me that you have other documentation, I'm gonna look at it. 190 00:09:26,967 --> 00:09:31,233 Otherwise, this is nonsense. This doesn't support your argument 191 00:09:31,300 --> 00:09:35,300 that the dog has problems related to that. It said, "Could be from a lot of things." 192 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:38,533 And the thing is with the… I won't know. But they did say it could be an infection. 193 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:40,734 Well, I don't know. Well, I'm not a mind reader, madam. 194 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:42,500 -[Ktina laughs] Yes. -I can't fill in the future. 195 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:44,467 But I need an X-ray in order to determine that. 196 00:09:44,567 --> 00:09:45,533 [Judy] Then get one. 197 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:48,867 And I need the funds from the people that caused the incident. 198 00:09:48,934 --> 00:09:52,633 No, no, no, no, no. Pay for the X-ray and then sue her, 199 00:09:53,033 --> 00:09:55,200 if it turns out that the problem with his foot 200 00:09:55,266 --> 00:09:57,266 has to do with an infection of the bone. 201 00:09:57,567 --> 00:10:00,400 Listen, it's an unfortunate thing, you take the dog to a groomer 202 00:10:00,467 --> 00:10:02,867 and there's an accident, which sometimes happens. 203 00:10:02,934 --> 00:10:07,500 I've taken dogs over the years to groomers and there have been minor mishaps. 204 00:10:08,033 --> 00:10:11,400 It seems to me like these groomers did the responsible thing 205 00:10:12,066 --> 00:10:16,066 by immediately addressing the dog, calling you, taking the dog immediately, 206 00:10:16,133 --> 00:10:19,433 closing down shop, whoever it was, right before Thanksgiving, 207 00:10:19,533 --> 00:10:22,700 taking your dog to the vet, paying for it. And of course saying, 208 00:10:22,767 --> 00:10:25,800 "Please, we're not charging you for the grooming. This was our fault." 209 00:10:25,900 --> 00:10:29,934 You're talking about something that might or might not happen in the future. 210 00:10:30,033 --> 00:10:31,734 -This has affected him. -Zero. 211 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:33,800 -[Ktina] This has affected him. -A zero. 212 00:10:34,300 --> 00:10:36,767 And I'm a dog lover. They did the right thing. 213 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:41,300 And so far, I don't have any expert except you that says, 214 00:10:41,734 --> 00:10:44,734 "My dog can't jump on and off the furniture," a bit of a blessing… 215 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:47,200 -[courtroom laughs] -[Judy] …"and doesn't run as fast." 216 00:10:47,266 --> 00:10:49,400 -Because of the incident that they caused. -[Judy] They… 217 00:10:49,767 --> 00:10:51,266 -I have documentation. -[Judy] Just a sec. No, you don't have a… 218 00:10:51,367 --> 00:10:53,266 -From vets. -[Judy] No, you don't. 219 00:10:53,367 --> 00:10:57,066 Not that I saw. Not that you gave me. You don't have any documentation. 220 00:10:57,133 --> 00:11:00,367 None of this happened until they cut off his dewclaw. 221 00:11:00,467 --> 00:11:02,133 -If it's incorrectly removed… -[Judy] Ms. Jones. Ms. Jones. 222 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:05,533 Ms. Jones, they did the right thing. You are not able to be compensated 223 00:11:05,633 --> 00:11:09,200 for what might happen to the dog in the future because of this incident. 224 00:11:09,300 --> 00:11:11,667 But they incorrectly removed his dewclaw. 225 00:11:11,767 --> 00:11:13,367 [Judy] They did, and they took responsibility for it. 226 00:11:13,467 --> 00:11:15,800 -[Ktina] They didn't. -Goodbye. Your case is dismissed. 227 00:11:15,867 --> 00:11:17,266 -[groans] -[Kevin] This court is adjourned. 228 00:11:17,333 --> 00:11:19,133 [theme music] 229 00:11:22,500 --> 00:11:25,200 -I'm very disappointed. -I think that she made the right decision. 230 00:11:25,300 --> 00:11:28,834 -Justice was not served for my dog. -It was about money. She wanted money. 231 00:11:28,934 --> 00:11:30,967 I need to get X-rays. I would have to get exams, 232 00:11:31,033 --> 00:11:33,100 I would have to basically spend more money, 233 00:11:33,166 --> 00:11:34,500 and they should be held accountable for that. 234 00:11:36,100 --> 00:11:39,333 I've taken our dogs over the years to groomers 235 00:11:39,433 --> 00:11:42,166 and I remember once one of them was cut, 236 00:11:42,433 --> 00:11:43,967 -I was furious. -Mhm. 237 00:11:44,166 --> 00:11:46,266 [Judy] You know, they can't explain to you how it hurts. 238 00:11:46,333 --> 00:11:47,500 -They can't explain. -[Sarah] Mhm. 239 00:11:48,166 --> 00:11:50,900 It's an accident. You're dealing with an animal that's moving around. 240 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:54,867 But I think that the defendant in this case was a perfectly responsible person. 241 00:11:54,967 --> 00:11:57,667 Yeah. Paid for the vet bills, took it to the vet right away. 242 00:11:57,934 --> 00:11:59,600 Like she said it was the week of Thanksgiving. 243 00:11:59,667 --> 00:12:02,000 I'm sure that it was very busy at the groomers but still… 244 00:12:02,100 --> 00:12:03,700 -She closed it up and she… -[Sarah] …Closed it up 245 00:12:03,767 --> 00:12:04,834 -and took it to the vet. -Yeah. 246 00:12:04,900 --> 00:12:07,033 -Called her right away and paid for it. -[Judy] And paid for it. 247 00:12:07,100 --> 00:12:08,700 And didn't charge her for the grooming. 248 00:12:09,066 --> 00:12:11,233 So, you know, what more can you do when there's an accident? 249 00:12:11,333 --> 00:12:16,200 And she also said that the plaintiff, from the vet, 250 00:12:16,266 --> 00:12:19,867 brought the dog back to the groomer to be finished grooming 251 00:12:19,934 --> 00:12:23,734 Yeah. So clearly the dog was in a better state after seeing the vet, 252 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:25,934 -well enough to finish a grooming. -The grooming. 253 00:12:26,033 --> 00:12:27,233 -[Sarah] Exactly. So. -Right. 254 00:12:27,333 --> 00:12:29,700 -I think the ask was a little high here. -[Judy] I do, too. 255 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:34,734 Case 3153, Cortez versus Perez. All parties, please come forward. 256 00:12:34,834 --> 00:12:41,500 [announcer] Elizabeth Cortez is suing her son's ex-fiancée, Janeces Perez, 257 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,600 for an unpaid loan and mortgage payments. 258 00:12:44,700 --> 00:12:49,567 Ms. Cortez, Ms. Perez is the former fiancée of your son. 259 00:12:49,667 --> 00:12:51,667 -I assume that that's your son? -[Elizabeth] Yes, ma'am. 260 00:12:51,734 --> 00:12:56,066 [Judy] And while they were a couple, and they are no longer a couple, 261 00:12:56,166 --> 00:12:58,900 they did the very foolish thing of purchasing a home together. 262 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:00,300 Yes, Judge. 263 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:06,900 [Judy] And it is your claim that Ms. Perez owes you for some money that you laid out 264 00:13:07,233 --> 00:13:10,433 in order to prevent the house from being foreclosed 265 00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:13,633 when mortgage payments were not forthcoming… 266 00:13:13,734 --> 00:13:15,600 -Yes. Correct. -[Judy] …from either of them. 267 00:13:15,667 --> 00:13:17,100 -[Judy] That's what the case is about? -Yes. 268 00:13:17,433 --> 00:13:19,967 -What's your last name, sir? -Cortez, Your honor. 269 00:13:20,066 --> 00:13:21,400 [Judy] Step up with your mother. 270 00:13:23,367 --> 00:13:28,467 So I have a few questions. When did you and Ms. Perez start being a couple? 271 00:13:28,567 --> 00:13:32,567 We started dating sometime around January… 2015. 272 00:13:32,633 --> 00:13:36,433 -[Judy] When did you become engaged? -Around August that same year, Your Honor. 273 00:13:36,500 --> 00:13:38,166 And when did you purchase this house? 274 00:13:38,333 --> 00:13:41,166 It would've been September of 2020, Your Honor. 275 00:13:41,233 --> 00:13:43,467 [Judy] How much was the house when it was purchased? 276 00:13:43,567 --> 00:13:45,467 It was 275,000. 277 00:13:45,567 --> 00:13:48,467 -How much of a mortgage? -It was 275,000, Your Honor. 278 00:13:48,567 --> 00:13:51,100 [Judy] So you didn't put any money down on the house? 279 00:13:51,166 --> 00:13:52,500 -No, Your Honor. -[Judy] Now, at that time, 280 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:55,667 -you and Ms. Perez were living together? -Yes, Your Honor. 281 00:13:55,767 --> 00:14:00,300 [Judy] And I assume you had made plans to budget yourselves as a couple? 282 00:14:00,367 --> 00:14:01,300 [Edward] Correct. 283 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,367 [Judy] How did you and Ms. Perez split expenses? 284 00:14:04,467 --> 00:14:08,467 [Edward] She was responsible for the bills, so… electricity, things like that. 285 00:14:08,533 --> 00:14:10,066 [Judy] Hold, just a sec. Utilities? 286 00:14:10,166 --> 00:14:11,033 -[Edward] Yes, ma'am. -[Judy] What else? 287 00:14:11,133 --> 00:14:12,467 [Edward] Maybe groceries every once in a while. 288 00:14:12,533 --> 00:14:13,567 -[Judy] Anything else? -No, Your Honor. 289 00:14:13,667 --> 00:14:16,367 [Judy] Utilities and groceries? Were the utilities in her name? 290 00:14:16,467 --> 00:14:18,867 -Yes, Your Honor. -And what was your responsibility? 291 00:14:18,967 --> 00:14:21,367 I told her I was gonna take care of the mortgage. 292 00:14:21,467 --> 00:14:24,767 [Judy] Just a second. So she was paying the utilities and the groceries. 293 00:14:24,834 --> 00:14:25,667 [Edward] Yes. 294 00:14:25,767 --> 00:14:27,066 [Judy] And you were supposed to pay the mortgage? 295 00:14:27,166 --> 00:14:29,900 -Yes. -You lived together until when? 296 00:14:30,100 --> 00:14:34,166 It would've been February or March. March 1st, 2023. 297 00:14:34,266 --> 00:14:36,066 -[Judy] And she left the house? -Yes, Your Honor. 298 00:14:36,166 --> 00:14:37,734 [theme music] 299 00:14:38,533 --> 00:14:39,967 -He was living there? -Correct. 300 00:14:40,066 --> 00:14:41,667 [Judy] He was supposed to pay the mortgage. 301 00:14:41,734 --> 00:14:46,000 She continued with her end of the deal and maintained the utilities 302 00:14:46,066 --> 00:14:50,667 even though she wasn't there. Don't you see a problem with your thinking? 303 00:14:50,734 --> 00:14:52,033 [courtroom laughs] 304 00:14:54,834 --> 00:14:56,233 [theme music] 305 00:15:00,967 --> 00:15:07,066 [announcer] Elizabeth Cortez claims her son's ex-fiancée, Janeces Perez, 306 00:15:07,300 --> 00:15:10,834 owes for an unpaid loan and mortgage payments. 307 00:15:10,900 --> 00:15:13,500 [Judy] How long did you stay in the house after she left? 308 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:17,367 November the 3rd, Your Honor, of 2023, is when the house sold. 309 00:15:17,433 --> 00:15:19,567 And you were in the house up until that time? 310 00:15:19,633 --> 00:15:20,467 Yes, Your Honor. 311 00:15:20,567 --> 00:15:22,033 [Judy] So you were in the house seven months? 312 00:15:22,100 --> 00:15:23,266 [Edward] Yes, Your Honor. 313 00:15:23,367 --> 00:15:26,266 [Judy] Who paid the mortgage during those seven months? 314 00:15:26,467 --> 00:15:29,867 I paid up until June, Your Honor, and I lost my job. 315 00:15:29,934 --> 00:15:32,934 So my mom was helping me make the payments between June and November. 316 00:15:33,033 --> 00:15:34,800 -[Judy] You asked her to do that? -Yes. 317 00:15:34,934 --> 00:15:38,467 [Judy] When did Ms. Perez remove her name from the utilities? 318 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:40,533 -When did you… -I never removed them 319 00:15:40,633 --> 00:15:42,400 -until the house was sold, Your Honor. 320 00:15:42,467 --> 00:15:45,100 -Did you pay the bills for the utilities? -Yes, ma'am. 321 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:51,066 [Judy] Okay. Mr. Cortez, is it correct that Ms. Perez paid the utilities 322 00:15:51,133 --> 00:15:53,233 -until the house was sold? -Yes, Your Honor. 323 00:15:53,300 --> 00:15:56,066 -And you didn't pay the mortgage? -Yes, Your Honor. 324 00:15:56,433 --> 00:15:57,867 -[Judy] That's also correct? -Yes. 325 00:15:57,934 --> 00:16:03,800 [Judy] So it was you who defaulted on the agreement that you had with Ms. Perez? 326 00:16:04,033 --> 00:16:06,033 -[Edward] Yes, Your Honor. -Okey-dokey. 327 00:16:06,266 --> 00:16:08,934 -We're getting that straight, right? -[chuckles] Yes. 328 00:16:09,100 --> 00:16:13,000 [Judy] Now, the house was sold November of 2023. For how much? 329 00:16:13,100 --> 00:16:15,300 335,000, Your Honor. 330 00:16:15,533 --> 00:16:21,667 And Ms. Perez, did you realize any cash from that sale? 331 00:16:21,934 --> 00:16:23,133 [Janeces] Yes, I did, Your Honor. 332 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:25,100 -[Judy] How much? -20,000. 333 00:16:25,166 --> 00:16:28,066 [Judy] And did you realize any cash from that? 334 00:16:28,133 --> 00:16:31,767 -Yes, Your Honor. The same. -[Judy] 20,000. Let's go back. 335 00:16:31,834 --> 00:16:35,033 -So now we understand what the game is. -Yes, ma'am. 336 00:16:35,133 --> 00:16:40,166 [Judy] It is your claim that Ms. Perez owes you $10,000. 337 00:16:40,367 --> 00:16:42,033 -Correct. -Explain it to me. 338 00:16:42,133 --> 00:16:43,467 [Elizabeth] On February the 1st, 339 00:16:43,533 --> 00:16:47,633 she reached out to me letting me know that she received a foreclosure letter. 340 00:16:47,734 --> 00:16:50,867 Well, that was a foreclosure notice because your son didn't pay the mortgage. 341 00:16:50,967 --> 00:16:51,800 [Elizabeth] Correct. 342 00:16:51,900 --> 00:16:53,367 -[Judy] Okay. You understand that? -Yes. 343 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:55,266 -[Judy] They had an agreement. -[Elizabeth] Yes. 344 00:16:55,367 --> 00:16:57,700 [Judy] She kept up her part of the agreement. 345 00:16:57,800 --> 00:16:58,934 -Well, the agreement… -[Judy shushes] 346 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:00,400 -Okay. -[Judy] Don't tell me the agreement. 347 00:17:00,867 --> 00:17:02,166 -This is the couple's agreement. -[Elizabeth] Mhm. 348 00:17:02,233 --> 00:17:04,934 -She was to pay utilities and food. -Yes. 349 00:17:05,033 --> 00:17:07,333 [Judy] And he was gonna take care of the mortgage. 350 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:09,000 She maintained the utilities. 351 00:17:09,066 --> 00:17:12,734 I don't know about the food when she moved out, probably didn't pay his food bill. 352 00:17:12,834 --> 00:17:14,767 But he didn't pay any of the mortgage. 353 00:17:15,266 --> 00:17:17,867 -You understand that? -He paid up until June. 354 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,133 -[Judy] Of 2023? -Correct. 355 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:22,667 [Judy] So when did you get a call from her, on what date, 356 00:17:22,734 --> 00:17:24,033 that the mortgage was behind? 357 00:17:24,100 --> 00:17:28,633 -February the 1st. -I thought he paid until June of 2023? 358 00:17:28,734 --> 00:17:31,300 [Elizabeth] No. Your Honor, he was behind on the payments. 359 00:17:31,567 --> 00:17:32,800 -Oh, that's not her fault. -[Elizabeth] Which caused… 360 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:34,266 -That's his fault. -[Elizabeth] Right. 361 00:17:34,367 --> 00:17:36,400 Which caused the foreclosure, okay? 362 00:17:36,667 --> 00:17:39,100 So she reached out to me to see what I could do. 363 00:17:39,500 --> 00:17:42,133 So I went over to their home on February the 1st 364 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:45,233 and we sat down to come up with a game plan. 365 00:17:45,433 --> 00:17:48,600 I told them I would loan them the money to stop the foreclosure, 366 00:17:48,767 --> 00:17:51,533 'cause she was concerned about her credit being ruined 367 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,066 because she needed school loans. 368 00:17:53,166 --> 00:17:55,533 What was the foreclosure amount at that time? 369 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,934 It was 14,243. 370 00:17:58,033 --> 00:17:59,800 -[Judy] So you paid that? -Yes, ma'am. 371 00:17:59,934 --> 00:18:01,433 [Judy] Did you get that back from him? 372 00:18:01,500 --> 00:18:02,433 -I got half of it. -[Judy] Shh. 373 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:03,767 Why didn't you get the whole thing? 374 00:18:03,834 --> 00:18:06,533 It was his responsibility to pay for the mortgage, not hers. 375 00:18:06,633 --> 00:18:09,734 He came out with $20,000 in cash. You're out money. 376 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:12,867 He was supposed to pay for the mortgage. Why are you going after her? 377 00:18:13,266 --> 00:18:17,467 Because the original with them when they were buying the home, 378 00:18:17,533 --> 00:18:21,200 I don't think that it was just him paying the mortgage. 379 00:18:21,667 --> 00:18:22,834 -If he got… -I don't care what you think. 380 00:18:23,033 --> 00:18:25,333 That was their arrangement. He would take care of the mortgage. 381 00:18:25,433 --> 00:18:30,000 She would take care of the rest of the bills. And he failed to pay the mortgage. 382 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:32,667 For whatever reason, he failed to pay the mortgage, 383 00:18:32,767 --> 00:18:34,500 whether she knew or whether she didn't know. 384 00:18:34,633 --> 00:18:38,633 He made $20,000 on the sale of the house. 385 00:18:38,700 --> 00:18:43,834 If you helped out with the foreclosure of $14,000, that was his responsibility. 386 00:18:43,934 --> 00:18:45,166 Why don't you get that back from him? 387 00:18:45,266 --> 00:18:47,934 But I also paid the mortgage and that also… 388 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:48,867 -[Judy] Just a second. -Yes. 389 00:18:48,967 --> 00:18:52,467 [Judy] So you paid 14,000 and what months did you pay the mortgage? 390 00:18:52,533 --> 00:18:55,266 From June to the end of October. 391 00:18:55,333 --> 00:18:56,967 -[Judy] She wasn't living there. -[Elizabeth] Correct. 392 00:18:57,033 --> 00:18:58,500 -[Judy] He was living there. -Correct. 393 00:18:58,633 --> 00:19:00,333 [Judy] He was supposed to pay the mortgage. 394 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:02,433 She was supposed to pay the utilities, 395 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:07,200 even though she wasn't using the utility, she continued with her end of the deal 396 00:19:07,266 --> 00:19:10,367 and maintained the utilities even though she wasn't there. 397 00:19:11,100 --> 00:19:13,367 Don't you see a problem with your thinking? 398 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:16,367 Not really because I had an agreement with both of them. I'm not… 399 00:19:16,433 --> 00:19:19,033 [Judy] I don't care whether you had an agreement with both of them. 400 00:19:19,333 --> 00:19:20,867 I'm telling you they had an agreement. 401 00:19:21,333 --> 00:19:23,700 He can't make money and have his mother out money. 402 00:19:23,867 --> 00:19:25,900 I paid back a total of $13,000, Your Honor. 403 00:19:26,033 --> 00:19:27,767 [Judy] Your mother says that's not enough. 404 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,200 In any event, I stand unconvinced that she owes you any money. 405 00:19:31,266 --> 00:19:35,066 But we met on the 1st and she agreed that she was gonna pay me half. 406 00:19:35,500 --> 00:19:36,900 [Edward] We struck a new agreement with her 407 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,567 so we could save the house, save the credit. 408 00:19:38,667 --> 00:19:40,000 -[Judy] Just a second. -Yes, ma'am. 409 00:19:40,066 --> 00:19:44,900 Show me where you have an agreement with her in February, 410 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:50,600 obligating her to pay you half of whatever you paid off for the mortgage in February. 411 00:19:50,667 --> 00:19:54,667 -It was an oral. -[Judy] That's too bad. He got $20,000. 412 00:19:54,734 --> 00:19:56,166 -So does she. -[Judy] That's all right. 413 00:19:56,233 --> 00:19:59,100 She paid her part of the expenses. Don't you follow that? 414 00:19:59,834 --> 00:20:03,000 Now, I thought I also saw that you paid credit card? 415 00:20:03,066 --> 00:20:07,367 [Janeces] Yes. That was for the furniture… it was appliances. 416 00:20:07,433 --> 00:20:11,266 Because after we bought the house, his credit went down. My credit was still up. 417 00:20:11,367 --> 00:20:13,567 [Judy] So the appliances and furniture 418 00:20:13,667 --> 00:20:15,166 -were put on your credit card? -[Janeces] Yes. 419 00:20:15,233 --> 00:20:16,734 -Did you pay for that? -Yes. 420 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:18,700 -[Judy] Is it paid off? -Yes. 421 00:20:18,767 --> 00:20:23,700 Okay. Do you understand? That was their agreement. He can't profit from that. 422 00:20:23,767 --> 00:20:26,266 Sounds to me as if she did everything that she was supposed to do 423 00:20:26,367 --> 00:20:27,633 even after she moved out. 424 00:20:27,734 --> 00:20:31,533 She's already paid her half, for everything, as per their agreement. 425 00:20:31,633 --> 00:20:34,533 And he got money. So, how much did you pay your mother? 426 00:20:34,900 --> 00:20:37,333 -13,500. -[Judy] Good. You should pay her the rest. 427 00:20:37,500 --> 00:20:38,700 -Yes, ma'am. -[Judy] Great. 428 00:20:38,767 --> 00:20:41,533 -Your case is dismissed. We're done. -[Kevin] This court is adjourned. 429 00:20:41,767 --> 00:20:43,266 [theme music] 430 00:20:44,934 --> 00:20:49,233 I still think she owes 'cause it was between me, and her, and my son. 431 00:20:49,667 --> 00:20:51,433 Nothing to do with the original agreement. 432 00:20:51,533 --> 00:20:52,700 Well, I think she was fair. 433 00:20:52,767 --> 00:20:56,200 She understands that this chapter's closed and now I can put this behind. 434 00:20:56,266 --> 00:20:59,200 She agreed to pay me and she should have kept her promise. 435 00:20:59,266 --> 00:21:02,100 -He maxed all my credit cards, literally. -I'm gonna pay her back. 436 00:21:02,166 --> 00:21:05,100 Do not buy with another man that's gonna be with a fiancée. 437 00:21:05,166 --> 00:21:06,734 Make sure you're married for real. 438 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:11,934 Another great example of why you don't buy big purchases 439 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:15,266 with someone that you're not married to, especially a house with a mortgage. 440 00:21:15,333 --> 00:21:18,433 I felt bad for the mother because she did bail out her son 441 00:21:18,667 --> 00:21:20,567 and his financial responsibility. 442 00:21:20,667 --> 00:21:24,767 However, he had his own agreement with his then girlfriend/fiancée 443 00:21:24,834 --> 00:21:26,734 and he didn't hold up his end of the bargain. 444 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:28,100 -So, you had come… -And she paid. 445 00:21:28,166 --> 00:21:31,567 She did. She paid her half and she paid what she was supposed to. 446 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:32,934 She paid for the appliances. 447 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:37,467 And I think there was also some credit cards being maxed out after the fact, 448 00:21:37,567 --> 00:21:42,333 that she was responsible for and was not countersuing for. She just paid it. 449 00:21:42,433 --> 00:21:46,000 I think what happened was she took whatever that money was that she got… 450 00:21:46,100 --> 00:21:47,800 -[Sarah] The profit. Mhm. -…the profit. 451 00:21:47,900 --> 00:21:49,600 -And paid that… -Paid off her debts. 452 00:21:49,700 --> 00:21:51,100 -[Judy] Paid off her debts. -It was responsible. 453 00:21:51,166 --> 00:21:52,433 And he didn't have any debts. 454 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:55,166 Well, he didn't except for to his mother for bailing him out 455 00:21:55,266 --> 00:21:56,600 and that's who she should be going after, 456 00:21:56,667 --> 00:21:58,600 -not the ex-fiancée. -Right. 457 00:22:00,834 --> 00:22:04,533 [announcer] Are you having a family dispute? Go to judyjustice.tv. 458 00:22:09,066 --> 00:22:11,033 [theme music]