Amber Heard has been ordered to pay Johnny Depp $10.35 million in damages after losing her libel case against him. But what happens if she can’t pay?
The case between the former couple began in 2019 when Depp sued Heard for defamation after she wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post accusing him of domestic abuse. In November 2020, a UK court ruled in Depp’s favor and ordered Heard to pay him the damages.
Heard’s lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, told Today on June 2, 2022, that her client can “absolutely not” afford to pay Depp the $10.35 million she owes him. Bredehoft said that Heard has already spent her savings on legal fees and that she has no way to pay the damages.
If Heard is unable to pay the damages, Depp could take legal action to try to recoup the money. He could file a lien against Heard’s assets, such as her house or car, or he could garnish her wages.
Depp could also take Heard to court and ask a judge to hold her in contempt of court for failing to pay the damages. If the judge agrees, Heard could face jail time.
It is unclear at this time what will happen if Heard is unable to pay the damages. Depp has not yet indicated what action he will take, and Heard has not yet commented on the matter.
It is clear, however, that Heard is in a difficult position. She is facing a large financial burden and could potentially face jail time if she is unable to pay the damages. It remains to be seen how the situation will play out, but it is sure to be a difficult and complicated process.
