Experts canvassed by The Daily Beast, however, indicated there are several steps Heard can go through if she admits she is unable to pay the judgment. Heard’s team declined The Daily Beast’s request for comment.
“Whenever anyone claims an inability to pay a judgment, the prevailing party is entitled to broad discovery on that point,” explained Duncan Levin, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor turned criminal defense lawyer who has previously represented Clare Bronfman. “Here, that means that Depp, now that he has won, will be likely entitled to see financial records and even take depositions on her ability to pay.”
“Here, that means that Depp, now that he has won, will be likely entitled to see financial records and even take depositions on her ability to pay.”
Levin, however, noted that because the case is in Virginia, state laws prohibit punitive damages higher than $350,000. Simply put: Heard will not have to pay the full $5 million punitive damage judgment issued by the jury, but will have to pay the $10 million in compensatory damages. He added that Heard was also awarded $2 million from her $100 million countersuit, in which a jury found Depp liable over a statement his lawyer Adam Waldman made to the press calling her allegations a “hoax,” among other things.
Not to mention, Heard has at least two upcoming movies that may theoretically provide income.
“Just because she is saying she doesn’t have money doesn’t mean she doesn’t have money,” Levin added. “I fully expect he will try to enforce his rights with the judgment.”
