I’ve “heard” that litigants agree to go on Judge Judy because the producers pay the lawsuit no matter what.

Meaning, the plaintiffs win the money even inf Judge Judy rules against them. And the defendants pay nothing even if Judge Judy rules against them.

One poster suggests that there is a “pot” of money and any amount not rewarded to one side or the other is split by the parties.

Is this all true or false? Any properly published accounts out there? Makes the whole show seem kind of silly if you ask me.