Mr. Fisher was an employee
of yours.
And during the time that he was
in your employ,
you were under a child-support
order, Mr. Fisher.
And the child-support
order was for how many children?
>> One.
>> Judge Judy: How old is that
child?
>> He turned 18 in January.
>> Judge Judy: And what was
the child-support order?
>> It was $800,
plus $100 for health coverage.
>> Judge Judy: So it's $900 a
month.
>> That's correct.
>> Judge Judy: And since you
were managing the finances,
you set up the account
so that the money
would be automatically deducted
from your pay.
>> That is correct.
>> Judge Judy: In what month
and year did you do that?
>> The child-support order began
in approximately
October of 2015.
>> Judge Judy: And when did you
start to work for Dr. Bader?
>> In August of 2015.
>> Judge Judy: So a couple of
months later.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Judge Judy: Prior to that,
had you been paying
child support?
>> That is correct.
>> Judge Judy: And how was it
being paid?
>> I was paying it directly.
>> Judge Judy: Directly?
So what was the reason
that it became court-ordered?
>> Because I had fallen
behind by a month or so,
and the judge required it come
through my employment agreement
once I began my employment.
>> Judge Judy: And were arrears
also part of the child-support
order?
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: How much arrears?
>> $125 a month.
>> Judge Judy: So, your basic
child-support order is how much?
>> It was $800, plus the $100,
plus the arrears of $125.
>> Judge Judy: And the order
started to
come out of your pay in October?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And when did you
cease working for Dr. Bader?
>> In May of 2016.
>> Judge Judy: So October,
November, December, January,
February, March, and April, for
7 months, while you were
there...
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Judge Judy: ...the
court-ordered child support was
taken out for a total of about
$8,000.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: When you left in
May, was it the beginning of
May, middle, or the end of May?
>> He brought me into his office
at the beginning of May.
>> Judge Judy: And for how many
months did your child support
continue out of your check?
>> Through the end of August,
through the end
of my employment agreement.
>> Judge Judy: June,
July, and August, for 3 months.
Now I'd like to see a copy
of your employment agreement.
>> I have one, and I believe
there's another, as well.
>> Judge Judy: I'd like to see
it, because this is your
defense.
The money came out
to support your child
from Dr. Bader's account.
You were no longer
in his employ.
He wants that money back.
That's basically
what this is about.
There were some charges
on a credit card.
But basically, you want back
the child support that was paid.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: And your defense
is that "We had an employment
agreement.
He was obligated to pay me,
and, therefore, he was obligated
to have this child support
come out of his account."
>> That is correct, Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
This is a very large agreement.
I would like you to mark
where you want me to read
that there is an obligation.
Don't write anything.
>> Okay.
It was part of the withholding,
so...
>> Judge Judy: With regard to
the first paragraph that you --
"Parties agree that the
employee's employment with the
employer will be at-will
employment."
"Parties agree that employee's
employment with the employer
will be at-will employment
and may be terminated at
any time with or without cause."
And he was hiring you
as an at-will employee
for $50,000 a year in salary
and 1% of profits.
This is an at-will
contract of employment.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: This contract
is an at-will
employment contract!
He doesn't have to pay you.
It says it can be terminated
by any party at any time.
While you're working there,
you get $50,000 a year.
When you're not working
there, sir, you get nothing!
See?
Easy?
Judgment for the plaintiff
in the amount of $3,500.
We're done. Thank you.
>> Byrd: Par