The trial between Johnny Depp (58) and Amber Heard (36) became a worldwide blockbuster – millions from all over the world watched the live broadcast from the Virginia court. Now it’s leaking out that there will probably be “Depp vs. Heard – Part 2”. According to her spokesman Alafair Hall, Amber Heard does not want to accept defeat and plans to appeal the verdict. But does she even have the money for it? Because it’s unclear if the actress can pay the $10.35 million in damages.
During the trial, she admitted to needing the $7 million divorce fee for court and attorney fees. Heard originally claimed to have donated the entire marriage settlement to a children’s hospital and to the civil rights organization ACLU – which was later proven to be a lie by Depp’s lawyers.
What happens if Heard doesn’t have the money?
If Heard cannot pay, all of her future fees might be seized and flow directly into the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star’s account. Your alternative is to file for private bankruptcy. Then, according to the law, she would only owe the $350,000 fine. The third variant: Depp proves that he was actually only concerned with the truth and officially waives the compensation.
In order to appeal, however, Heard must find good legal grounds for process errors and find the amount of damages. If the losing side files an appeal in the US, they must first post the full amount of damages awarded – in this case, $10.35 million.
Amount has been reduced
The jury awarded Depp $10 million in damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Judge Penney Azcarate (54) reduced the latter sum directly to $350,000, the legal maximum in the state of Virginia for such a monetary penalty in civil lawsuits. If Heard also loses the appeal, the amount owed by her ex-husband will be reduced by $2 million. She would then only have to transfer $8.35 million to Depp. (cth)
