That worked out well for her.

   We had the contempt hearing yesterday.  Husband and I went together; The Ex showed up with her mom.  I audio recorded the entire thing because...well, you learn to document your entire life when you've blended families with a high-conflict personality.  Here's my transcript:

  Commissioner:  Court calls "In re: the marriage of [The Ex with Boyfriend's last name] and [Husband].  Um...what name are you going by now?
  The Ex:  [Ned's last name]. (I was surpressing a giggle but would not have been able to hide my smile if it wasn't for my mask.  I found it so humorous that the commissioner had to ask what The Ex's last name was because she gets married to someone new every half hour.)
  Commissioner:  [Ned's last name]? Okay.  Both parties are here in person, without counsel.  [Husband] filed a contempt motion, and I believe this is regarding some medical bills.  Is that right?
  Husband:  Correct.
  Commissioner:  Okay.  Uh, and this is the amount she owes?  This $359.54, is that right?
  Husband:  Correct.
  Commissioner:  Do you agree you owe that amount, ma'am?
  The Ex:  I do.
  Commissioner:  Okay.  Is there some reason it hasn't been paid?
  The Ex:  I did pay him.  He received it on December 1st.
  Commissioner:  Oh.  Is that correct, sir?
  Husband:  Yes, but I also asked for her to pay for service, for when I served her the paperwork.
  Commissioner:  What was that amount?
  Husband:  $77.65.
  Commissioner:  Is there some reason you shouldn't be paying that, ma'am?
  The Ex:  I don't feel that I should.  He- he could've emailed me, which he says he did.  And I did get that in my spam mail, after the fact.  He could've called me, he could've texted me.  He didn't do anything except for spending this huge amount of money that he wants extra for, that I don't feel I should have to pay. (She literally said he should have emailed her, then acknowledged that he did email her, and then claimed that he "didn't do anything" except have her served.) I have two other kids that I solely take care of at home 'cause their father got deported four and half years ago. (Ned has been filling the role of "daddy" to The Ex's kids since she left Boyfriend in 2015.  Don't give me that bullshit.) And I feel that this big chunk that I just gave him, I feel that it's satisfied. (Well it's not, and that's why we're here.) I feel-  I mean, I sent the certified- his check certified and paid $6.95. (You guys, she paid an entire SIX DOLLARS AND NINETY-FIVE CENTS for a check that never needed to be sent certified in the first place.  Why is Husband costing her so much money?  What a jerk!!!) I mean, an email? (You already stated in court that Husband emailed you.  Stop saying he should have done something that he already did.) "Hey, I sent an email, can you look at it?"  Text, phone call.  One of these (She held up her certified mail receipt) to me.  Could've saved us so much money.
  Commissioner:  What is- um, is this one bill, sir?
  Husband:  It's- no, it's bills from the last few years that haven't been paid.  It didn't get paid on a regular basis.
  Commissioner:  Okay, so how did you communicate this to [The Ex]?
  Husband:  We had a service called "2houses."
  Commissioner:  No, how did you communicate this to her before filing the contempt motion?
  Husband:  It was email and text messages.
  Commissioner:  Okay, so you just weren't checking your email or what was the problem?
  The Ex:  He said he sent it to me.  He never- the last email I sent was, "Hey.  I see that you owe...a back pay.  When are you planning on paying that?"  And that was on November 5th.  And I did reply to him.  I have it here, too.  "Hey, I did recei-"  And I sent him a message.  November 5th, he sent that to me...the balance of your half.  And I told him, I said, "Why couldn't we deal with this differently?"  And I have all of- he says he can't communicate with me, yet we communicated through text messages and I printed all of them from November 23rd to December 1st.  So, why we couldn't do that before?  I don't understand. (This paragraph is going to be my go-to when I need a laugh.  Her complete inability to form one coherent thought is never-ending entertainment.)
  Commissioner:  Okay.  Um...it appears to the court that um, both parties are somewhat to blame here.  But I think [The Ex] is primarily to blame for this getting to this point, so I'm going to order that you pay $50.00 in service fees by January 1st.  Okay?  Um, we will make a copy of the order for each of you before you leave.  Any questions?
  The Ex:  No.
  Husband:  No.
  Commissioner:  Okay.  
  *long silence while the order is finalized and printed*
  Commissioner:  Court's in recess.  Just wait for your copies.  Have a good day.
  The Ex:  Thank you.  Merry Christmas.
  Commissioner:  Thank you.

  After the hearing, I told Husband that I think he could have argued a little more and made a better defense for himself but it's whatever.  It's done and over with.  The Ex literally took the afternoon off of work, drove almost 2 hours one way, and was still found in contempt of court with the ability to purge the contempt provided that she pays $50 by January 1, 2021.

  The Ex didn't look too happy when we left.  I don't know if it was because she had to be around Husband and/or me.  Maybe it's because she still owes us money.  Maybe it's a combination of everything.  I just can't help but laugh at the fact that she "saved" herself a measly $27.65 that she didn't have to pay toward service fees but in order to accomplish that, she needed to take half of a day off work and drive almost 2 hours one way to attend the 5-minute hearing.  She literally could have just mailed a check for the amount that Husband requested but nope, she just had to put up oooonnnneeee more fight.  Ultimately, she's not ahead any money at all but if she thinks she "won" then more power to her, I guess...

  While Husband drove home, I electronically deposited the check that The Ex had mailed him.  When we got home, I put my hands on our court folder, looked at Husband and said, "Once she pays us the $50, we don't need this anymore.  It's hard to believe.  We've had this for so many years."  Husband said, "Yup........burn it." 😂