Geraldine was in a difficult housing and financial situation prior to negotiating a contract with Gaggero. Her ex-husband Jeff had moved to Arizona and refused to help her find a new place to live, forcing her to move herself and 25 horses, along with her son Jesse, furniture and vehicles. She had no money around Thanksgiving and Christmas and was stressed about her ex-husband David finding out they had nowhere to live and was worried he might try to take Jesse again.