People's Court Blog - Monday - July 8 2013

The show today is a repeat.

Lizbeth is not happy with the services from Steve, a lawn care specialist. She wants all of her money back from a contract signed with Steve - $3406.00. Lizbeth claims that not only did her lawn not get better, it actually got worse. She is accusing Steve of putting something on the lawn to kill it and grow weeds and then she says she does not think he put anything on the lawn. Besides the fact that her approach does not make sense, she has no proof. Her new lawn care specialists did not provide any information that Steve did not do his job. She does not get her money back. Court is about proof, not just being unhappy with services rendered! What do you think?

Randolph is suing Hugh for $2652.34. Hugh was behind Randolph at an intersection. He admits he is at fault, he "tapped" the back of Randolph's car. Hugh offered Randolph $100.00 on the spot. Randolph refused it but does not call the police. It is very important to call the police when you have a car accident, even if it is just a "fender bender". The two men do exchange insurance information, that was a good idea. Hugh seems to think that Randolph was committing insurance fraud, he accuses him of switching cars. It seems that Randolph sold his car and then registered the car he was driving the day of the accident only the day before. The paperwork takes time to catch up. There was no insurance fraud, but it does seem Randolph is trying to take advantage of the situation. Hugh testifies that Randolph called and wanted $1400.00. The estimate is almost double that amount. The Judge believes that Randolph asked for the $1400.00 and that is the amount he is awarded. It is never a good idea to try to negotiate a settlement and then go to court and ask for more money. What do you think?

Kim is suing Erica for $2521.05. On June 2nd, Erica's 2 dogs jumped out of the window of her car and went after Kim and her little dog. Her dog was not hurt. It costs over $1000.00 to find out all was good with her little dog. Erica admits it is her fault and is willing to pay the vet bill. She did not feel she was responsible to pay for a missed day of work 10 days after the attack and acupuncture treatments. Kim states that she re - injured her back when she was fighting off the dogs. She is also suing for pain and suffering due to nightmares she now has since the attack. The Judge finds in favor of Kim for $447.50, the balance of the vet bill and part of the acupuncture treatments. Kim does not get lost wages and pain and suffering, she is not able to prove these elements. It is never a good idea to drive with the windows open enough for a dog to jump out. The dogs will jump, no matter how well trained they may be. Erica understands she is financially responsible for what her dogs caused. She did not want to pay for all of the "extras". I do not blame her. I feel really bad for her that she now has to fight to get her dogs back. I wish her luck!

Now, please join me as I embark on a weight loss journey. On July 1st, I decided to start eating healthier. I have been trying to lose weight for years. Many attempts at fad diets and weight loss programs. Now, I will try a new approach. Drink lots of water, do not eat after 9 pm, eat healthy snacks and ... I will try to incorporate small changes to my daily lifestyle. Major changes are a road to failure. Small changes are attainable. I am going to continue these changes for this week. I am also reading about intermittent fasting. I want to try it, I just need to find the right time to start...any day now!!!

Week 1 weight loss: 6 lbs - great job!  - keep up the good work - stay motivated!!!!

People's Court Blog - 10 12 2012 - Friday

October Challenge Check-up: Here it is the end of the second week of the challenge. I hope you are doing much better than I am. Once again I have not met my goal. I will try next week to be successful. Trying is all anyone can ask for! I wish you success in meeting your October Challenge Goal! Wish me luck!

Kira And The Beast In The Basement

Kira and her two daughters, Gail and Marissa are suing Dawn for $5000.00. Kira rented her house to Dawn and a roommate for $2300.00 a month. After 4 months, Maureen, the roommate, moved out. Dawn wanted to continue to live there but needed help in paying the rent. Kira let her try to find a housemate. According to Kira after Dawn placed an ad for a housemate, she installed a kitchen, a woman, a dog and 3 cats in the basement. She actually created a separate apartment for someone. The woman who moved in the basement apartment was Kim, later to be known as the beast in the basement. Wow! What a name for someone and guess what -  it fits! Stay posted, you are going to be shocked! Kim contacted Kira and let her know that Dawn was interviewing for a roommate for upstairs. Kira looks into this and finds a an ad on Craigslist where Dawn is posing as the landlord. Dawn is asked to leave and her security deposit is returned to her. The sad part of this entire story is that Kira got rid of the wrong tenant. Now she had to contend with Kim or as she is now commonly known as "The Beast in the Basement!"

Kim had actually stopped paying rent. She called the police on Kira and her daughters. The police told the Kira and her daughters they were not allowed in the basement. Kim had squatters rights. Kira took Kim to court to evict her. The Judge gave Kim 10 days to leave. After Kim left and Kira went in the basement she was shocked! Kim had put fish on the radiator, turned the heat up to 80 degrees, took all of the switchplates, removed all the lightbulbs, removed the doorknobs and stuffed dirty diapers in the walls This is so disgusting! The Judge is outraged that the local police said this was a civil matter and would not press criminal charges. The Judge calls the Police Chief to inquire about the investigation. Hopefully we will find out that Kim was charged with criminal mischief.

The Judge finds in favor of Dawn for this case. Even though Dawn brought this woman on board as a tenant, Kira had the opportunity to get rid of her. Dawn claims that Kira's husband is the one to renovate the basement. He is not in court to dispute this. Kira does not have any evidence to prove that Dawn is responsible for this situation. She actually was the better tenant and should have not been kicked out. Kira needs to sue "The Beast in the Basement"! What do you think?

Michaele And The Lame Horse

Michaele is suing Bethany for $750.00. This is for the deposit and travel expenses for a horse she was attempting to purchase for her daughter. Michaele was looking for a horse for her daughter who has spina bifida. She needed a very calm horse that would allow her daughter to get on the horse with the use of blocks. Michaele provided a video of her daughter and horse to make sure the owner of the horses knew what she was looking for. After Michaele saw an ad on Craigslist for Bethany's horse, she sent the video. Bethany agreed that her horse would be a good candidate for Michaele's daughter. Michaele paid a deposit of $500.00 and spent $250.00 to transport the horse. When the horse arrived, Michaele contacted a veterinarian because she thought the horse was lame. The vet examined the horse and deemed it unfit for sale. There were specific instructions for Bethany to follow for the horse after she took the horse home. Bethany admits in court that she did not follow all of the vet's instructions. She says all the horse needed was some medicine and rest. After a few days the horse was fine and she she was able to sell it to someone else after Michaele did not want to continue with the purchase. Michaele wants her deposit back and the money spent to transport the horse. 

The Judge finds that Bethany breached the contract when she did not follow the vet's instructions. Michaele will get all of the money she is suing for. What I find so amazing is that someone would buy a horse sight unseen. Why didn't she contact a vet to look at the horse before she purchased him/her? Probably for the same reason that people do not pay to have a mechanic look at a used car! What do you think?

Wendy And The Leased Car

Wendy is suing Vincent for $1427.36. Vincent is the father of her two grandchildren. She leased her car to Vincent to use to be able to go to work in order to pay child support. When her daughter and Vincent had issues she took her car back. There was a signed agreement between Wendy and Vincent for the car. Wendy tells the Judge how she watches the show and loves her and knew to have a written agreement. The Judge is very proud of her for this. The agreement details what Vincent would be responsible for. He paid Wendy $60-$65 a week for the use of the car. Wendy even photocopied the cash he gave her! What Wendy did not take into account was that routine wear and tear on the car was not covered by the agreement. Keep in mind Vincent was paying for the use of the car on a weekly basis. After Wendy took the car back she took it to a mechanic. The mechanic did not refer to any repairs that were not a direct result of Vincent's mishandling of the car. He did not violate their agreement. The Judge finds in Vincent's favor.

What makes this so sad, is that Vincent is really trying to do the best for his children. It is a shame that he and the children's mother cannot get along. Hopefully he will find an affordable vehicle so he can continue to work and pay his bills. Good luck to all!

Please share your thoughts in the comments. Thank you for joining me today.

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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

~Thomas Edison