Michael Baze's Mom, Widow Take Dispute to Judge Judy

One year after horse jockey , the family squabble between his mother and estranged wife aired out on television in Judge Judy’s courtroom.

Baze, 24, began riding in the Southern California circuit in 2003 at the age of 16 and went on to win riding titles at Hollywood Park.

In 2007, he moved to until he transfered to Illinois to pursue his career, while his wife remained in California.

In May of last year, he was found dead in his vehicle at Churchill Downs in Kentucky of a drug overdose. While Baze’s death drew strong support for his famous horse racing family, the relationship between his mother Terri Gibson and his wife grew cold.

Although Kelly Baze received $750,000 in life insurance and his mother received $250,000 after her son’s death, mother and daughter-in-law turned to Judge Judy to settle a dispute over a $855 crematorium bill and memorial travel expenses.

In an episode that aired Wednesday, Gibson sued Baze for cremation fees and travel expenses for her and another son to fly to Kentucky for a memorial.

However, following Baze’s death, his family set up

Judith Scheindlin, better known as the no-nonsense Judge Judy, scolded Gibson for repeatedly speaking out of turn. However, Judge Judy ruled Kelly Baze responsible for the cremation expenses, while Gibson was responsible for the travel expenses.

According to The Paulick Report, disputes on the show are not official, however participants sign a waiver promising they will not purse the case in the judicial system. The website states that both Gibson and Kelly Baze received $250 for their appearance and travel expenses to Los Angeles for the tapng.