FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
Meeting Through a Friend
Ms. Nock met Mr. Seaman through a friend in 2012.
Mr. Seaman had performed some remodeling and painting work in Ms. Nock's home.
After this work, they remained friends.
A Place to Live
There came a time when Mr. Seaman was looking for a place to live.
He was described as being "without a home."
Ms. Nock allowed him to move into her home.
Initial Living Arrangement
The initial understanding was that Mr. Seaman was not doing much at the time.
Ms. Nock would let him live there without paying rent for a period.
She assumed he provided "reasonable company sometimes."
The Lawsuit's Two Parts
Ms. Nock's lawsuit had two main components.
First, she sought rent for the time Mr. Seaman lived in her home.
She claimed he had agreed to pay rent.
Second, she sought reimbursement for charges made on her credit card.
The Credit Card for Work
Mr. Seaman claimed he needed tools, equipment, and supplies to get work.
Ms. Nock provided him with a credit card for these expenses.
Judge Judy noted that Ms. Nock was "foolish enough" to give a credit card to someone who hadn't paid her rent.
Questionable Purchases
Mr. Seaman put a significant amount of money on the credit card.
The total charges amounted to $2,100.
Some items purchased had "nothing to do with his work."
Judge Judy specifically questioned a washer purchase.
She asked how a washer was used to make a living.
Mr. Seaman claimed it was a replacement for one he damaged at a job site.
Judge Judy expressed skepticism about this explanation.
Mr. Seaman's Character Assessment
Judge Judy made a strong statement about Mr. Seaman.
She told him, "you're no bargain."
She later added, "Once a loser always a loser."
She continued, "Losers don't get better."
Judge Judy stated, "Once you've got the loser bug, never leaves you."
Work Performed by Mr. Seaman
Mr. Seaman claimed he did a lot of work for Ms. Nock.
He stated he did her yard work.
He estimated he worked in the yard maybe once or twice a month.
Ms. Nock confirmed she worked in the yard with him sometimes.
She also said there were times he worked alone.
Mr. Seaman also claimed he cleaned her garage.
Ms. Nock confirmed he cleaned the garage and put away tools.
He also stated he cleaned the inside of her house and moved furniture.
Payment for Work
Judge Judy asked Mr. Seaman if Ms. Nock paid him for the work he did.
Mr. Seaman admitted, "Yes."
Judge Judy then stated, "Well, then you got paid for it."
This contradicted his implicit claim that the work was compensation for his stay.
Duration of Stay
Mr. Seaman initially estimated he lived with Ms. Nock for "a couple" or "a few months."
He then clarified it was from November to about January or February.
He later stated he started living there in November.
He then said he started in September.
He then revised his statement to "off and on" from June to February.
Ms. Nock stated he lived with her for approximately seven months.
The Credit Card Expectation
Mr. Seaman claimed he was never asked to pay back the credit card charges.
He believed the credit card was given to him "to use for my work to get on my feet."
He stated, "I was not known that I had to pay her back."
Ms. Nock, however, was suing for reimbursement of these charges.
Text Message Evidence
Ms. Nock presented a text message from Mr. Seaman.
The text message discussed money and his inability to make money.
Judge Judy asked to see the text.
Ms. Nock mentioned another text stating he was trying to make money but was unable to.
Judge Judy dismissed the relevance of texts sent in September.
Judge Judy's Ruling on Rent
Judge Judy addressed the claim for unpaid rent.
She stated she did not think Mr. Seaman owed Ms. Nock any rent.
Her reasoning was that if Ms. Nock expected rent, she would have evicted him.
She believed if Ms. Nock expected rent during the seven-month period, she would have "thrown you out."
Ms. Nock agreed with this assessment.
Judge Judy's Ruling on Credit Card Charges
Judge Judy then focused on the credit card charges.
She felt Mr. Seaman owed Ms. Nock for the equipment and supplies.
These were items he was supposedly using to make money.
Judge Judy believed he was "clearly spending it elsewhere."
She noted that if he was working and buying supplies, he was making money.
She questioned where the money went, stating, "I don't know whether the money went up your nose or someplace else."
She concluded he was not using the money for rent or his own living expenses.
Judge Judy stated the least he could do was pay the person who allowed him to make the money.
The Verdict
Judge Judy issued a judgment for the plaintiff, Ms. Nock.
The judgment was in the amount of $2,100.
This amount covered the credit card charges.
Mr. Seaman was not ordered to pay rent.