FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Divorce and Child Support
Mr. Bowman and the defendant were married for approximately 11 years.
Their divorce was finalized in 2007.
They have one daughter together.
The daughter is 19 years old.
The divorce judgment did not specify who was responsible for college tuition.
Mr. Bowman paid child support for their daughter.
He paid $315 per month in child support.
Daughter's First Year of College
When their daughter was 17, she was ready to attend college.
She enrolled at Defiance College.
Mr. Bowman and the defendant attended orientation at Defiance College.
At this time, an alleged agreement was made between them.
Mr. Bowman claims he offered to pay for the first year's tuition.
The first year's tuition was almost $13,000.
In exchange, he claims the defendant would cancel the child support order.
She would also pay for half of the remaining college costs.
The defendant did cancel the child support order.
Mr. Bowman paid the first year's tuition.
The Alleged Agreement
Mr. Bowman described the conversation at orientation.
He stated he told his ex-wife he would pay the first year's tuition.
This was contingent on her canceling the support agreement.
She would also pay for half of the rest of their daughter's college expenses.
Mr. Bowman claims she responded, "That sounds like a pretty good deal."
He then asked her if she was sure she could do that.
She allegedly replied, "Yeah."
She also said, "I'll get a loan if I have to and you know me, I always land on my feet."
At the time, the defendant was working as an EMT.
She was driving an ambulance.
She was also married at the time.
Mr. Bowman assumed her husband was working.
Mr. Bowman has another son who is 26 years old.
Daughter's Change of Plans
The daughter decided not to return to Defiance College for her sophomore year.
Her father, Mr. Bowman, influenced this decision.
He complained about the high cost of Defiance College.
He suggested she transfer to Ball State.
He wanted her to be closer to home.
He stated Defiance was too expensive.
The daughter then enrolled at Ball State.
Dropping Out of Ball State
The daughter attended Ball State for the first semester of her sophomore year.
She dropped out in December 2013.
She stated she did not like it.
She also said she was not interested in continuing.
Sophomore Year Tuition Payment
Mr. Bowman paid the tuition for the first semester of his daughter's sophomore year.
This payment was made in August 2013.
The tuition amounted to approximately $8,300.
He paid the entire amount himself.
He also paid for some rent and a lease break for his daughter.
Attempt to Contact Defendant
Mr. Bowman attempted to contact the defendant.
He wanted her to contribute her half of the sophomore year's tuition.
He stated he could not reach her.
The defendant offered a different account.
She stated Mr. Bowman tried to get her address for "tax purposes" for about three months.
She believed this was untrue.
She knew what was going on when the show called her.
She had not called him.
The Defendant's Denial
Judge Judy asked the defendant if she agreed to contribute half of the tuition for the first semester of the second year.
The defendant responded, "I did not."
Mr. Bowman confirmed he had nothing in writing to support this agreement.
He stated, "No, nothing in writing."
He also confirmed she did not pay for half the tuition.
He paid the entire tuition himself.
Judge Judy's Questions on Timing
Judge Judy questioned Mr. Bowman about the timing of his lawsuit.
She noted he paid the tuition in August.
She asked why he did not sue her in August, September, October, or November.
Mr. Bowman did not provide a direct answer to this.
He filed a small claims complaint against the defendant.
Judge Judy's Assessment of the Agreement
Judge Judy was not satisfied that Mr. Bowman had a contract with his former wife.
She stated he had nothing in writing to support his claim.
She reiterated that he did not sue her in the months immediately following the tuition payment.
He paid the tuition entirely by himself.
Judge Judy believed Mr. Bowman was angry that his daughter dropped out of school.
She acknowledged that dropping out was probably the daughter's mistake.
Child Support and First Year's Tuition
Mr. Bowman confirmed he did not pay for any more tuition after the first semester of the sophomore year.
He assumed his daughter's mother would pay if she was not going to.
Judge Judy warned him about making assumptions in court.
She stated, "Don't sue many things, sir, when you assume things, when you assume things, you usually lose in court."
She emphasized the need for proof.
Mr. Bowman stated he had proof that she canceled the support order.
Judge Judy acknowledged this was for the first year.
She pointed out that Mr. Bowman was paying much more for college than he did in child support.
She suggested it was a wise decision for the defendant to cancel child support in that context.
Mr. Bowman argued that it would have evened out if she paid half of the rest of her college.
Child Support During Sophomore Year
Judge Judy asked Mr. Bowman if he resumed paying child support during the first semester of their daughter's sophomore year.
He replied, "No, ma'am."
She asked him why not.
Mr. Bowman explained, "She was in college, and I was paying for college."
Judge Judy responded, "That's right."
She then said, "Now you got it."
The Ruling
Judge Judy ruled against Mr. Bowman.
She stated, "Goodbye."
She instructed him to step out.