Miss Taylor explained her belief that it was a gift.
She said she was having a hard time in life.
Miss Taylor claimed Miss Holt said she was "sick and tired of looking at you, driving those rattle trap cars."
Miss Taylor further quoted Miss Holt as saying, "I don't wanna see you broke down anywhere. So I'm giving you this."
Miss Taylor responded by saying, "Yes, God would bless you for that."
The Disputed Knowledge of Moving
Miss Taylor claimed Miss Holt knew she was moving.
She stated Miss Holt asked if she would come back to visit after moving.
Miss Taylor said she told Miss Holt yes.
Miss Holt denied knowing about the move.
She implied that Miss Taylor's move was a surprise.
Miss Taylor believed Miss Holt got mad because she moved.
This anger, in Miss Taylor's view, led to the demand for the money back.
The Lack of Communication
Judge Judy asked Miss Holt if she was angry when Miss Taylor moved.
Miss Holt said no.
Miss Taylor claimed they did not speak after she moved.
She stated she never came back to the neighborhood.
Miss Holt said Miss Taylor started moving on the 11th day of May.
The court papers were served on Miss Taylor around the 28th or 29th of May.
Judge Judy questioned why they did not speak in the two weeks before Miss Taylor moved.
Miss Taylor reiterated that she never came back to the neighborhood.
Judge Judy asked Miss Taylor why she did not come back to see Miss Holt within a week of moving.
Miss Taylor explained she was still in the process of moving.
She mentioned having three children to care for.
Miss Taylor stated she did not have time for pleasure visits until her own life was together.
No Other Issues Between Them
Judge Judy asked if anything else came between the two women besides the move.
Both parties indicated there were no other issues.
The core of the dispute remained the $500.
Judge Judy's Deliberation
Judge Judy considered the nature of the $500 transaction.
She noted that a promissory note is not always required for a loan.
It is typically needed for real property loans, like land.
Judge Judy stated she saw no reason to believe Miss Holt would have made a gift of $500.
She acknowledged Miss Holt's decision to drop the childcare claim.
Judge Judy believed Miss Holt genuinely cared about the children.
Therefore, the only remaining issue was the $500.
The Verdict
Judge Judy found that the $500 was, in fact, a loan.
She noted there was no regular payment schedule set.
However, it was clearly contemplated as a loan.
Judge Judy concluded that Miss Taylor asked for the loan.
Miss Holt gave the $500 gratuitously.
She did so out of the goodness of her heart.
This was because they were friends and neighbors.
The judgment in the case was for the plaintiff.
The Outcome
Miss Taylor was ordered to pay Miss Holt $500.