complaint.
"In February 2016, he started
drinking and getting violent.
I filed a restraining order, and
he was removed from the house."
That's what you wrote.
Do you want me to show you?
>> That was then, Your Honor,
okay?
That was then, and then he came
back into the house --
>> Judge Judy: No, no, no, no!
I want to know, is that the
truth or a mistake or a lie
that, in February 2016, you
filed a restraining order
against him and got him removed
from the house?
That's my question.
>> Yes, ma'am, that is true.
>> Judge Judy: Then I want to
see the allegations that you
made in February of 2016 to get
Mr. Gustafson removed from his
own house.
And I also would like to see any
of the medical records or
supporting documents that you
had to get him removed from his
own house.
While she's looking for those,
Mr. Gustafson, who paid the
mortgage on the house for the
10 months that she was living
there?
>> I did.
>> Judge Judy: Who paid the
taxes for the 10 months that she
was living there?
>> I did.
>> Judge Judy: I'm waiting.
February 2016.
I want to see the allegations.
Now do you see why I put your
son out?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: Good.
Let's have it.
>> I'm looking.
That wasn't --
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me
carefully.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: I take people who
file charges of domestic
violence very seriously, 'cause
domestic violence, whether it's
perpetrated against a man or a
woman, is an atrocious thing to
have to live with.
I don't like when somebody
circumvents the process by
filing a restraining order when
there is no basis for it in
order to get a leg up in what
isn't even a matrimonial action,
'cause the two of you aren't
married.
No let's see --
If you don't have a copy --
I'm not interested in the other
restraining order.
Pay careful attention.
How long was he out of the
house, starting in February
2016, and you and your kid were
living in the house, not paying
the mortgage, not paying the
taxes, and he was.
>> I did pay the mortgage and
the taxes, and I have proof of
those payments, as well.
>> Judge Judy: Just a second.
I would like you to tell me how
long he was out of the house.
>> 10 months, Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: 10 months.
And so what you're gonna show me
are the 10 months worth of
mortgage payments and taxes.
Go through them.
>> I don't have 10 months'
worth.
I have the first month's, and he
changed the passwords on
everything so nobody could make
the payments but himself.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me
carefully.
The answer is, you didn't make
payments -- on the mortgage or
the taxes.
You have an excuse, but you and
your kid lived there, rent-free,
mortgage-free, in his house,
based upon a restraining order
that you don't have.
How did I know you either
wouldn't have it or would be a
whole lot of baloney?
So, then, the two of you hired
lawyers.
And then, everybody's spending
money.
Did you pay your lawyers?
You, did you pay your lawyer?
>> Yes, I did.
>> Judge Judy: How much did you
pay him?
>> $2,000.
>> Judge Judy: What's the name
of your lawyer?
>> ...
>> Judge Judy: And how much have
you paid that lawyer?
>> I paid him $7,000, and I
still owe him $10,000.
>> Judge Judy: So, now, for no
valid reason that I can think
of, he's out of the house.
It's his house.
He's paying the mortgage, he's
paying the taxes.
You want to stay there.
Send a check to him.
You don't have to pay the
mortgage.
You know what the mortgage is.
You know what the taxes are.
So, now, 10 months later,
something happens.
You want to tell me what
happened?
I mean, I read your complaint.
I know in my -- I see this --
I see what happened.
Do you want to tell me what
happened?
>> Sure.
>> Judge Judy: Sure. Go ahead.
10 months later.
>> 10 months later, he starts
calling and says, "My lawyer
quit.
You won."
I have it all in text messages.
>> Judge Judy: Right.
"My lawyer quit."
You outlasted him.
You were able to pay a lawyer,
you were able to keep this thing
going in the courts.
He had no more money to pay the
lawyer.
You weren't paying the mortgage.
He was.
Okay. So, he said, "You won."
I got exactly what you did.
Precisely what you did.
So, you said what?
>> Your Honor --
>> Judge Judy: So you said what?
>> I said, "Well, let's make a
deal, then."
>> Judge Judy: Good!
"Let's make a deal."
I want you to tell me what deal
you wanted to make with him for
his own house.
>> I wanted to buy the house
from him.
>> Judge Judy: For how much?
>> For the $206,000, plus any
money that he put into it.
It was arranged with our lawyers
in the documents I have.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
And you were prepared to pay him
that and get another mortgage on
your $20,000-a-year income, and
there are a thousand banks after
2008 who are gonna give you a
mortgage on a $206,000 house on
$20,000 worth of income.
They're lining up.