FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
A New Life in Ohio
Sydney Woods, 22, sued her ex-boyfriend, Sean Smith.
She sought reimbursement for moving expenses, truck fees, and a broken lease.
The couple had been living together in North Carolina for about a year.
Mr. Smith secured a new job in Ohio.
This new job was described as very good.
It also included a $5,000 relocation fee.
Ms. Woods had a job in North Carolina.
She decided to move with Mr. Smith to Ohio.
She also had a child.
The Relocation Agreement
Ms. Woods claimed Mr. Smith promised to reimburse her for moving costs.
This reimbursement was to come from his $5,000 relocation bonus.
They moved on October 31st.
Mr. Smith's new job also started on October 31st.
He received the $5,000 relocation fee about four days after they moved in.
Ms. Woods stated the move cost her $550.
This amount included a $300 deposit for the apartment.
It also included $250 for the U-Haul truck.
Her mother loaned her the money for these expenses.
The Short-Lived Lease
Ms. Woods and Mr. Smith signed a lease together in Ohio.
However, their living arrangement did not last long.
Ms. Woods moved out on December 15th.
She had been in Ohio for only six weeks.
She was later notified that she was still responsible for the lease.
She wanted Mr. Smith to be responsible for his share of the broken lease.
Sean Smith's Account of the Relocation Fee
Judge Judy asked Mr. Smith about the $5,000 relocation fee.
Mr. Smith stated that after taxes, the fee was around $3,000.
He claimed he used this money to pay bills and the first month's rent.
He also mentioned using it to help with appliances.
Ms. Woods immediately corrected him about the rent.
She stated their first month's rent was free.
They did not have to pay anything until December.
This was because they moved in at the end of October.
So, the money would have gone towards December's rent.
Scrutiny Over Spending
Judge Judy pressed Mr. Smith further on how he spent the $3,000.
He said he received the $3,000 after taxes on a Thursday.
He used it to catch up on bills they were behind on.
He also paid his truck payment.
He had a loan payment for a bank loan he took out years ago.
He confirmed these were personal expenses.
He also paid to get the lights switched over.
He stated these were the main bills needed for moving in.
The Washer and Dryer
Mr. Smith mentioned buying a washer and dryer.
Judge Judy asked where these appliances were.
Mr. Smith replied that he sold them after Ms. Woods left.
This detail was noted by the court.
The Argument and Departure
Ms. Woods testified that she moved out on December 15th.
She had been in Ohio for six weeks.
She left after an argument with Mr. Smith.
During this argument, he told her to pack up and leave.
She presented a text message as evidence.
The text message from Mr. Smith told her to pack herself and get out.
Mr. Smith acknowledged telling her to leave.
He stated they had arguments and were on and off for a year and a half.
He claimed people say things they do not mean when they are angry.
Financial Realities After the Split
Mr. Smith finished out December in the apartment.
He then moved out right after Ms. Woods left.
He explained he could not afford the place by himself.
Judge Judy noted that Ms. Woods was not working when she moved there.
Mr. Smith confirmed he was working.
He added that Ms. Woods found a job after they arrived.
He worked 12-hour night shifts.
He expected her to bartend or serve on his days off.
He also mentioned her job started at 11 AM.
He would get home by 7:30 AM after his shift.
The Lease Responsibility
Judge Judy addressed the issue of the broken lease.
She stated she could not help Ms. Woods with that claim.
Both parties signed the lease.
Both parties left the apartment.
The idea was that their combined income would support the apartment.
She assumed the landlord would garnish both their wages if the property was not re-rented.
Ms. Woods said she tried to contact the landlord but received no calls back.
She was unsure if the property had been re-rented.
The Moving Expenses Verdict
Judge Judy then focused on the $550 for moving expenses.
She stated she believed Mr. Smith agreed to pay Ms. Woods back.
This reimbursement was to come from his $5,000 moving bonus.
The $550 covered moving expenses and truck fees.
Ms. Woods confirmed this amount was correct.
Judge Judy ruled in favor of Ms. Woods for this amount.
The Final Ruling
The judge ordered Mr. Smith to pay Ms. Woods $550.
This amount was for the moving expenses and truck fees.
The claim for the broken lease was denied.
The case was concluded.