Single Mom Begs to Save Her Family Home — Judge Simpson Shows NO MERCY

[00:00:00]And I can't I I I can't ask plaintiff to wait.

[00:00:04]>> So what do I got to do? Pack all myself up in 10 days and go where? I don't have any money right now.

[00:00:09]>> Ma'am, I wish I could answer that. I don't I don't >> I've been trying to do what I need to do to >> A mother of three, drowning in debt, abandoned by her husband, and desperately trying to save the only home her family has known for 15 years. In this emotional courtroom battle, every promise of financial help falls apart at the worst possible moment. As eviction becomes a heartbreaking reality, the judge faces a difficult choice between compassion and the law. Will one final plea change the outcome, or is this family's fate already sealed?

[00:00:37]>> I'm live.

[00:00:39]>> The 43rd District Court is now in session. All matters in business before the court drawn here. Honorable Judge J.

[00:00:46]Cedric Simpson presiding.

[00:00:50]>> And good morning, and I apologize about my delay this morning. Court does call the case of Arbor Woods versus Amber Noll.

[00:00:57]>> Good morning, Your Honor. Rachel Netherbush, Calvin >> Here.

[00:01:05]>> Yeah.

[00:01:07]>> Hello, Ms. Nollton?

[00:01:09]>> Yes.

[00:01:11]>> Okay. And where are we on this case? I had 1644 52 at close of business going on.

[00:01:19]>> Your Honor, that's correct. This is plaintiff's motion for issuance of the order of eviction.

[00:01:25]This judgment was entered back in April and it's been more than 56 days since entry of the judgment. Therefore, we filed a motion for its issuance. Um my understanding, Your Honor, is that $577 was received towards the judgment amount. That is all. And at present, there's a balance due of $4,845.75.

[00:01:49]Therefore, we would request entry of the order of eviction allowing plaintiff to recover possession of its property.

[00:01:55]>> Ms. Nollton, what do you have to say?

[00:01:58]>> Well, I've been working on getting help with the the payment. I have one organization going to help with 3,000.

[00:02:05]And I'm trying to get the other 1,800. I did an SCR 2 days ago and I'm uh waiting on that decision.

[00:02:12]I've been working on trying to get loans for the rest of it fixed, you know. I'm having a hard time talking today cuz my face is swelled up. I don't know if you see that, but I woke up like that this morning.

[00:02:25]But yeah, I've been trying. Cuz every time I do an SCR, then I get to where, you know, they I get someone to help. By the time they get decide to help, then the SCR I got to redo that all over again each time.

[00:02:37]But my husband walked out on us back in December, which left me with no money other than whatever possessions he had to sell to where I could get to where I am now.

[00:02:49]But I can't even get child support, a divorce, anything. I mean, I'm living off of social security check and my two little paychecks and raising three kids.

[00:02:57]I mean, this is my family home. I've been here 15 years.

[00:03:00]I mean, I do not want to lose my home because I'm trying to do the best I can.

[00:03:05]I mean, I've been through having anxiety issues, depression issues, all because of this. I mean, >> Okay, ma'am. Let me Let me ask you a question. You said there was somebody was helping you with 3,000.

[00:03:19]>> Yes, uh an organization called SOS.

[00:03:22]The lady, she agreed if I can get the other cuz I thought it was 1,000 or 4,895 I had to pay.

[00:03:30]But apparently I was off by $50, I guess.

[00:03:33]I mean, they she agreed she can pay that if I can get the rest of it.

[00:03:38]>> [snorts] [sighs and gasps] >> Ma'am, let me ask you this. When did you have your meeting with SOS?

[00:03:46]>> Um I've actually had two of them in the last month and a half. I just talked to her last phone. I mean, I'm trying my best.

[00:03:54]>> [snorts] >> I just got back to work.

[00:03:57]>> All right. So, ma'am, here's the problem. The problem is um the funding's not there.

[00:04:09]>> I understand that. Working on it. I just got a letter thing earlier, but I didn't have time to check it from SCI and what I need to give them to see how much they're going to pay.

[00:04:21]I mean I am working on it my hardest. I mean I tried [snorts] calling loan people trying to get an FHA, you know, against my house.

[00:04:28]Nobody will give me one cuz I don't have any credit.

[00:04:31]>> [gasps] >> Okay, ma'am.

[00:04:35]Um I just had to tell you regrettably that 3,000 Here's the reality of the circumstances regarding this. Even if you came up with that other balance, the 3,000's not there.

[00:04:52]>> I know that. It's going to be there as soon as the other amount I get the other amount.

[00:04:58]>> [snorts] >> Cuz she done told me she's going to pay it.

[00:05:03]>> [gasps and sighs] >> And then I text her because Zoe up front told me I had till the end of this month to get all the money together. So, I when I talked to her, then I started calling people even more. I've been on my phone every free moment I've had.

[00:05:17]Like right now I should be at work. But my face is swollen, but I can't even hardly talk.

[00:05:24]>> [snorts] >> Air it's talk.

[00:05:26]>> Your honor, I'm unaware of any agreement to grant until the end of the month, but if your honor wants to pass on this matter briefly, I'll verify with my client if they're willing to give her until then to try and come up with the various funds to bring the account current.

[00:05:40]I just I I don't have the authority to approve that without clarifying with them.

[00:05:44]>> Ms. Ms. let me pass it and I'll let counsel check on that. What you just said, and then I'll call your case back up.

[00:05:52]>> Yeah, cuz I talked to Jake this morning and explained it to him. I mean, I'm trying.

[00:05:56]I'm disabled. I can't do anything with my porch.

[00:05:59]>> Okay. Let Let her give a call. We'll >> Yeah, my husband was helping me with the rent till December, then he just walked out and left us. I mean, what can I do?

[00:06:08]I can't get a divorce. I can't get child support.

[00:06:11]I mean >> Okay.

[00:06:13]>> [clears throat] >> All right, ma'am. Let Let me do some more cases. We'll call it back up momentarily.

[00:06:19]Arborwood versus Nolan.

[00:06:22]>> Again, for the record, your honor, Rachel Dornbusch Paletz Law on behalf of the plaintiff. Uh your honor, my client, I believe, is um observing proceedings today, and they let me know that there was no agreement to the end of the month, and they are not willing to go to the end of the month, unfortunately.

[00:06:37]>> All right. Ms. Nolan, did you hear that?

[00:06:43]You're muted, ma'am.

[00:06:46]>> Well, Zoe lied to me then, cuz that's exactly what she told me.

[00:06:51]I mean >> Okay.

[00:06:53]>> Yeah, cuz I called her on the phone because they had wrote me up about my porch.

[00:06:57]And I told her, "Well, I'm working on the the lot rent still." And she said, "Well, I don't know if you you know you said we're going to go until the end of the month, and then, you know at that time, there was not even a court hearing date.

[00:07:11]And then, all of a sudden, I get a packet of papers in saying they're trying to take me to court. And 2 days ago, I get the court paper. I mean, I didn't have a lot of time to prepare for this today.

[00:07:21]So, honestly, I I just need another week or so. I mean >> Your honor, I just would like to point out for the record that um Ms. Nolan was personally served and did not appear for court back in April, which is why a default judgment entered against her.

[00:07:37]And there has not been any payment on the account since May 31st. And so, um makes it very difficult for the landlord to be willing to try to work with somebody when it's been nearly 5 months since Excuse me, 4 months since the payment was received.

[00:07:53]>> I was at the doctor's today for the last court hearing.

[00:07:57]>> All right. Ma'am, here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to grant the order um plaintiff's motion for issuance of the eviction and for the order of eviction, excuse me.

[00:08:09]And then, I'm going to like I said, grant that and I'm signing the writ of restitution.

[00:08:16]>> Thank you, Judge.

[00:08:17]>> Well, thanks very well. I mean, >> The turning point has arrived. Once the judge signs a writ of restitution, the conversation shifts from whether eviction will happen to how soon it can be enforced. What's striking here is that the judge isn't questioning Ms. Knowlton's effort. In fact, he repeatedly acknowledges that she's trying. The problem is that courts generally require actual funds, not anticipated funds. Promises of assistance, pending applications, and verbal assurances may offer hope, but they don't satisfy a judgment that's already been entered. This is where legal reality and personal hardship collide. What do you think? Should a judge be allowed more flexibility when a tenant appears to be making a genuine effort to catch up?

[00:08:56]>> [snorts] >> I'm working my hardest to get the money in it's I'm just getting kicked out every week.

[00:09:02]>> All right. Ma'am, I Ma'am, I understand that, but I don't have another option.

[00:09:07]>> know I don't because I've been contacting Joey and Jacob every time I get an SER, and I try to get the money.

[00:09:13]And then [snorts] the organizations that say they're going to help, then they fall on their end. I mean, I've been trying my hardest.

[00:09:22]All I need is another week.

[00:09:25]Cuz SER gets me what they want and what they need.

[00:09:30]>> But, Ma'am, I >> I can't take my kids >> Ms. Nolan, I hear you.

[00:09:40]Okay, I understand what I understand everything that you're telling me.

[00:09:45]And I need you to understand this is not from my standpoint an an easy thing for me to do.

[00:09:53]But I have to I I can't ask plaintiff to wait.

[00:10:00]And they [snorts] know that if I thought that the funds were actually there, that there were some hope that they'd be there, I would tell them to wait. They would object to it, but I would do everything in my power so that you could stay. The problem here, ma'am, is and I'm just going to be blunt about it. You get promised that there's going to be this 3,000 if you come up with whatever, and the money's not there. And so, you know, shame on the people that ought to be putting the money there. It's just not there. And I can't I I I can't ask plaintiff to wait.

[00:10:34]>> So, what do I got to do? Pack all my stuff up in 10 days and go where? I don't have [snorts] any money right now.

[00:10:42]>> [gasps] >> Ma'am, I wish I could answer that. I don't I don't >> trying to do what I need to do to >> I don't have the answer to that.

[00:10:54]>> want to be found, obviously. He took off with the crack works, leaving me with no money, but very little bit to to get survive on.

[00:11:03]I mean, if you guys want want to go arrest him.

[00:11:06]I mean, you might get somewhere. I can't. He won't give me a divorce, so I'm stuck.

[00:11:12]>> [gasps] >> And then now you guys are telling me I got 10 days to pack all my stuff up from 15 years of living here and get out, which is not right.

[00:11:22]>> And just to clarify, Your Honor, just so Ms. Nolan is aware, it's unfortunately not 10 days. It'll just be at the availability of the court officer, which may be much sooner than 10 days, Ms. Knowlton. I'm >> This may be the most emotional moment of the entire hearing. Notice how the discussion is no longer focused on numbers, paperwork, or legal procedure.

[00:11:42]It's now about the real-world consequences. Three children, health problems, financial instability, and the possibility of losing a home after 15 years. At the same time, the landlord's attorney points out a key legal fact.

[00:11:54]The account has remained unpaid for months, and a default judgment was already entered earlier in the case.

[00:12:00]That's what makes hearings like this so difficult. The law isn't always deciding who deserves sympathy. It's often deciding whether the legal requirements have been met. If you were in the judge's seat, would you have granted one more week, or reached the same conclusion?

[00:12:14]>> I just want to make sure you understand >> right. I mean >> [gasps] >> I just talked to Jacob this morning, and I told him how I'm working on the money situation.

[00:12:26]I mean, the SER just came back to me right before we got online. I can't I wasn't going to exit out of this and go check it.

[00:12:35]>> [gasps] >> This ain't even fair to me or my kids.

[00:12:39]I mean, we have lived here through all these park managers.

[00:12:48]After 15 years, because my husband is such a piece of I got to move out of my house that is in my name, and go live in the streets, I guess, with three kids.

[00:12:58]>> [snorts] [gasps] >> Cuz I don't have nowhere else to go.

[00:13:05]>> Ms. Knowlton, I I hear you. I understand what you're saying.

[00:13:12]>> They'll all be here by morning, and probably TELL ME TO GET OUT THEN, and I don't have nowhere to go. No money to do nothing with.

[00:13:19]And I'm trying my hardest.

[00:13:23]>> [gasps and snorts] >> My face is swollen up. I should have went to the hospital this morning, but no, I made sure I got on this Zoom. The last time I was supposed to be on and my iron was super low. The doctor immediately made me come in and where I had to go in and get on iron pills immediately because my iron was at 10.

[00:13:42]I mean, I have health issues where I can't work a whole 40-hour week job.

[00:13:49]I have fibromyalgia. I have >> [snorts] >> depression, anxiety. I mean >> [gasps] >> and now this just makes it worse.

[00:13:58]I mean, I am trying.

[00:14:03]>> Ms. Nolan As I have indicated, I'm hearing everything you're saying.

[00:14:09]I'm hoping that those that are supposed to be supplying funding to help individuals like you are are listening.

[00:14:15][clears throat] Just listen to me.

[00:14:17]I hope they're listening to you, too.

[00:14:20]>> Cuz I got an email from a lady that said that the [snorts] plans are there. She has a plan Okay, all I have to do is come up with the difference. She said this morning when I asked Jacob what's the difference, he wouldn't even tell me.

[00:14:33]They and they haven't served me those papers like you said every month, you know, you're supposed to get the paper telling you how much you owe. I don't ever get those.

[00:14:41]So then I have to call up and ask them how much I have to owe and then people then send the papers to people and it's like I do more of the work than they are with trying to help me get out of this situation.

[00:14:54]The first month, I was barely even uh but a couple of days late and they took me to court.

[00:15:01]>> Ms. Nolan Um >> [gasps] >> I understand everything that you're telling me, but I'm not sure that it's really helpful for this particular situation at this point.

[00:15:15]Um there's there's nothing that I can do.

[00:15:19]Um I I to follow I have to ma'am, I have ma'am.

[00:15:25]I have to follow the law. I have to try to be fair to both sides.

[00:15:30]And so that's what I'm trying to do.

[00:15:33]There has been a significant period in time here where the plaintiff has waited for funds to come through.

[00:15:40]You've been waiting for somebody to assist you.

[00:15:44]And that's fallen through. And now we're just at this point.

[00:15:51]So ma'am, all I can tell you is I signed the order.

[00:15:56]I wish you the best.

[00:15:59]All right. Thank you.

[00:16:01]>> In the end, the court granted the landlord's request and issued the eviction order, bringing this long-running dispute to a close.

[00:16:08]Throughout the hearing, the judge expressed sympathy for Ms. Knowlton's situation, acknowledging her financial struggles, medical issues, and efforts to secure emergency assistance. However, the court ultimately determined that the legal requirements for eviction had been met and that the promised funding remained uncertain. This case serves as a powerful reminder that courtroom decisions often balance compassion against legal obligations, and sometimes those two realities don't align. The emotional impact of this ruling is undeniable, especially when housing, family, and financial hardship intersect in one case. What are your thoughts on the judge's decision? Was it the correct legal ruling, or should more time have been given?