FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
THIS EXCUSE DID NOT GO WELL IN COURT!
A Mobile Home Meltdown in Judge Judy's Courtroom
Imagine buying a home.
You pay the full price.
But the seller doesn't move out.
Then the home burns down.
That is the situation facing Judge Judy today.
The Parties and the Problem
The plaintiffs are two individuals.
They are suing Miss Duncan.
Miss Duncan was the seller of a mobile home.
The plaintiffs had purchased the mobile home from Miss Duncan.
They paid $4,000 for it.
The problem arose when the mobile home burned down.
Miss Duncan was still living in it at the time.
The Sale of the Mobile Home
Judge Judy asks Miss Duncan about selling her mobile home.
Miss Duncan confirms she was selling it.
The process started in January.
Payments were completed.
The plaintiffs found Miss Duncan through a neighbor.
Miss Duncan had talked to a neighbor about selling her trailer.
She assumed the neighbor spoke with the plaintiffs.
They agreed on a purchase price of $4,000.
Miss Duncan had bought the trailer two years prior.
She paid $4,500 for it.
She lived there with her six-year-old granddaughter.
Miss Duncan decided to sell because she wanted to move.
She wanted to move out of the trailer park.
She planned to move to Cabot, Arkansas, near her sister.
She moved into another trailer.
She purchased this new trailer for $2,800.
She used the plaintiffs' money for this purchase.
The Breach of Contract
The plaintiffs paid Miss Duncan the agreed $4,000.
Miss Duncan confirms this.
Judge Judy asks if Miss Duncan was still living in the trailer.
Miss Duncan says yes.
Her new trailer was not ready.
Judge Judy states the plaintiffs completed their end of the contract.
Miss Duncan agrees.
Judge Judy then asks if Miss Duncan breached the contract.
She asks if Miss Duncan failed to move out on time.
Miss Duncan hesitates but says yes.
She admits she asked for more time.
The Fire and the Missing Items
Judge Judy recounts the events.
After Miss Duncan received the money, she was still in the trailer.
The trailer burned down.
Judge Judy mentions that a lot of appliances and furniture were removed.
Miss Duncan denies removing any appliances.
She also denies removing furniture.
She claims it burned up or had smoke damage from the fire.
No Insurance
Judge Judy asks about insurance on the trailer.
She asks if she would find any record of it.
Miss Duncan states no.
Judge Judy asks about homeowners insurance on any property.
Miss Duncan again states no.
The Remaining Money
Judge Judy asks what Miss Duncan did with the remaining $1,200.
The plaintiffs paid $4,000.
Miss Duncan bought her new trailer for $2,800.
Miss Duncan explains she stayed in a motel.
She stayed there until her new trailer was ready.
She had trouble with the hot water heater there.
Judge Judy's Firm Stance
Judge Judy asks Miss Duncan what she expects the plaintiffs to do.
The trailer burned down while Miss Duncan was living there.
The plaintiffs had already paid for it.
Miss Duncan replies she doesn't expect them to do anything.
She claims she did not breach the contract.
Judge Judy immediately refutes this.
She states Miss Duncan did not move out when she was supposed to.
Miss Duncan claims she was ill.
Judge Judy dismisses this.
She points out Miss Duncan was out running an errand.
She was with her granddaughter when the fire occurred.
Judge Judy concludes Miss Duncan's new place wasn't ready.
That was the real reason for the delay.
She states Miss Duncan breached the contract.