A jury that discovered Amber Heard responsible of defaming ex-husband Johnny Depp has ordered her to pay $15 million in damages, posing monetary dangers for the 36-year-old actress, based on specialists.
Though Heard's wealth is unclear, she has earned thousands and thousands for her work in TV and movies corresponding to "Aquaman" and "Aquaman 2." She beforehand obtained a $7 million settlement from Depp after their 2016 divorce, which she pledged to donate to charities together with the American Civil Liberties Union. Throughout the trial she mentioned she hadn't but fulfilled the pledge due to Depp's lawsuit.
However testimony in the course of the trial steered that Heard's profession had stalled as a result of authorized battle with Depp, in accordance to Newsweek. That will elevate questions on whether or not Heard's pockets are deep sufficient to cowl the damages, which included $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, though the latter was diminished to Virginia's cap of $350,000 on such awards.
Whereas Heard might attraction the decision, she must submit a bond for the complete $10.35 million judgment, plus curiosity, because the attraction proceeds, based on legal professional Sandra Spurgeon of Spurgeon Regulation Group in Lexington, Kentucky.
"For a person who does not have the power to pay the judgment and no potential to submit the bond, then there's a actual subject if the successful get together intends to execute the judgment," Spurgeon instructed CBS MoneyWatch.
By comparability, the jury awarded Heard $2 million within the lawsuit. Depp, 58, earned as a lot as $650 million over one 13-year interval, in accordance to the Hollywood Reporter. Even so, a former supervisor and agent testified in the course of the trial that his spending — corresponding to $300,000 a month on full-time workers — had eroded his wealth over time.
Heard did not tackle the monetary phrases of the decision in an announcement she printed on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon by which she expressed "disappointment" on the jury's resolution. Listed below are Heard's choices following the extremely publicized verdict:
Enchantment the judgment
As famous above, Heard might attraction the decision in hopes of getting a extra favorable judgment and decreasing the fee. However within the meantime, she must submit a bond for the complete $10.35 million in damages, which can or might not be possible, Spurgeon mentioned.
Not sufficient cash? Wages might be garnished
If Heard decides towards an attraction however does not find the money for to pay the judgment, she might find yourself along with her present and future wages garnished, based on authorized specialists.
"The query is that if she says, 'Look, I haven't got it. It isn't there — you possibly can look in my financial institution accounts,' then we will speak about issues like garnishing her wages," mentioned CBS Information authorized contributor Jessica Levinson.
She added, "That is not an uncommon scenario the place anyone says, 'I haven't got — I am unable to fulfill this,' and so I definitely assume as a result of she has incomes potential" a part of her wages might be garnished in consequence.
File for chapter
Heard additionally has the choice of submitting for chapter, which might get rid of the $10 million in compensatory damages, Spurgeon mentioned. However she'd nonetheless be on the hook for the $350,000 in punitive damages, which usually cannot be discharged in a chapter.
Depp might determine to waive the judgment
Depp might additionally determine to not execute the judgment, in impact waiving the financial damages, Spurgeon mentioned.
"He is within the driver's seat proper now," she mentioned, noting that Depp additionally might negotiate with Heard for a decrease greenback determine.
In his Instagram remark after the decision, Depp did not point out whether or not he intends to pursue the financial judgment towards Heard. He wrote that the "aim of bringing this case was to disclose the reality, whatever the final result."
He added, "I really feel at peace figuring out I've lastly achieved that."