FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Plaintiff's Claim
Amelia Downs, 51, appeared before Judge Judy.
She was suing Esther Downs, 46.
Amelia claimed Esther refused to return her late husband's automobile.
Amelia was married to Mr. Downs at the time of his death.
She confirmed this to Judge Judy.
Amelia had been married to Mr. Downs for 22 years.
They had two children together.
Their children were 21 and 19 years old.
Amelia stated she married Mr. Downs on November 1, 1995.
Mr. Downs passed away on November 8, 1995.
This meant they were married for only seven days.
Judge Judy noted this short duration.
The dispute centered on an automobile.
The car was in the deceased's name at the time of his death.
Both women believed they were entitled to the car.
The Deceased's Marital History
Amelia explained her perspective.
She stated Esther was "actually never married" to her husband.
Amelia clarified that Esther was a common-law wife.
She said Esther lived with Mr. Downs for 17 years.
Judge Judy acknowledged 17 years was a long time.
Amelia pointed out that 17 years was longer than seven days.
Amelia and Mr. Downs had planned to marry a year and a half before his death.
Mr. Downs was going through a divorce with Esther.
He wanted to finalize their living arrangements.
This was to ensure Esther would not co-own anything with him.
The Car's Purchase and Payoff
The car in question was a 1995 Chrysler Concord.
It was purchased for $22,000.
The payoff amount was $17,000.
Upon Mr. Downs' death, the car was paid off.
This was done through insurance he purchased from the credit union.
The car was free and clear of any debt.
Esther's Possession of the Car
Amelia stated that Esther went to the credit union.
Esther told them the car belonged to her.
Amelia also informed the credit union that the car belonged to Mr. Downs.
The credit union did not know who should receive the pink slip.
As a result, Esther had possession of the car ever since.
This possession dated back to 1995.
Unpaid Citations and Towing
Amelia then discussed money she spent on the car.
She explained that Esther accumulated many citations.
These included parking citations.
There were also citations for not having tabs on the vehicle.
Esther was driving the car during this time.
The car was eventually towed from in front of Esther's house.
It remained in the tow yard for three months.
Amelia assumed Esther was not going to retrieve it.
Amelia was told the car was going to be auctioned.
She did not want the car to be auctioned.
Amelia decided to pay off Esther's citations.
She took the car out of impound.
The total cost for this was over $4,000.
Amelia had proof of these payments.
Judge Judy asked to see the proof.
Esther's Defense and Contradictions
Judge Judy questioned Esther about the parking tickets.
Esther claimed she paid "a lot" of them.
Judge Judy pressed her on whether she paid all of them.
Esther admitted she did not pay all of them.
She acknowledged a specific amount of $1086 in tickets.
Esther stated she did not believe the car was hers.
She believed her sons had an interest in Mr. Downs' estate.
Mr. Downs did not have a will.
Esther claimed she was named a "Designator" for something.
Her sons were designated for something else.
Judge Judy asked if her sons received funds.
Esther said they had not.
She stated they were designated beneficiaries but had not collected.
Judge Judy assumed they would eventually collect their money.
The Divorce Judgment
Judge Judy referred to Esther's judgment of divorce.
The judgment stated that the car was Mr. Downs' alone.
Esther confirmed this.
Judge Judy noted the car was purchased in 1995 for $22,000.
She estimated its depreciated value at around $15,000.
Judge Judy pointed out that Esther put the car in impound.
Amelia paid $4,000 to get it out.
Esther agreed with this statement.
The Verdict
Judge Judy then delivered her ruling.
She instructed her clerk to prepare an order.
The order would state that the pink slip for the car be turned over to Amelia Downs.
Amelia thanked the Judge.
Judge Judy explained that this would allow Amelia to recoup the $4,000 she spent.
Judge Judy's Rebuke
Judge Judy addressed Esther directly.
She stated that Esther and her sons had an opportunity to drive the car.
Judge Judy found Esther acted very irresponsibly.
This was regarding not taking care of the car.
She added that Esther's sons might have had an interest in it.
They should have taken better care of it.
They should have ensured it did not end up in the impound.
Judge Judy then concluded the case.