Court Orders Man Who Sold Katy Perry His House Then Tried to Take It Back to Pay Her $3 Million in Lawyer Fees
Court Orders Man Who Sold Katy Perry His House Then Tried to Take It Back to Pay Her $3 Million in Lawyer Fees
Colson ThayerFri, May 29, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTC
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Katy Perry attends the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala on Nov. 9 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty
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Katy Perry was awarded over $3 million in legal fees after a multi-year legal battle with Carl Westcott
The dispute began in 2020 when Westcott tried to rescind the $15 million sale of his Montecito mansion to Perry and her ex-fiancé Orlando Bloom
Westcott claimed mental incapacity due to Huntington's Disease but a judge found no persuasive evidence supporting his claims
A Los Angeles court has ordered a Texas millionaire to pay over $3 million in legal fees to Katy Perry after losing a multi-year court battle over the sale of a California mansion.
On Thursday, May 28, an L.A. judge found the “Firework” singer, 41, is entitled to over $3 million in attorney fees and nearly $345,000 in court costs through her business manager Bernie Gudvi, according to a court order obtained by PEOPLE. The repayment adds to the $1.8 million Perry's team was previously awarded when a judge ruled against Westcott back in November 2025.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom attend the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 2 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
The dispute began nearly six years ago when Perry and her ex-fiancéOrlando Bloom, 49, bought a $15 million Montecito, Calif., mansion from Westcott in August 2020. Days later, the businessman attempted to rescind the deal, claiming mental incapacity. He was diagnosed with the genetic brain disorder Huntington's Disease in 2015.
Westcott subsequently filed a lawsuit against Gudvi; however, a judge ruled there was no “persuasive evidence” to back Westcott's claims and that he appeared to be “coherent, engaged, lucid and rational.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, Judge Joseph Lipner of the Superior Court of the State of California in Los Angeles County determined that Perry is owed a total of $1,842,142.84, court documents obtained by PEOPLE at the time state. The amount represents $2,795,000 for the rental value of the home during the delayed closing (from the date of the sale in September 2020 through March 2024), minus the value of retained capital ($1,062,736) and Westcott's lost interest ($149,703.00).
Katy Perry attends the Colleagues Spring Luncheon & Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show on April 25, 2024 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty
Since the ruling, Perry's team sought to recover $4.5 million in fees for nearly 5,000 billable hours of legal work, according to Billboard. However, Lipner found that figure is “extremely high for a case of this nature,” per the outlet.
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The judge previously pointed out that concerning the $15 million sale, Gudvi paid Westcott $9 million and retained $6 million of the purchase price. The judge determined Gudvi could deduct the awarded $1.8 million from the remaining amount.
Perry and Bloom initially purchased the Montecito estate for their family, including their 5-year-old daughter Daisy Dove. Boasting eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, the property spreads across 2.5 acres and also features a three-bedroom guesthouse with a view of the ocean. An infinity pool, jacuzzi and outdoor fireplace round out the home's amenities.
It's unclear if the former couple moved into the home after Perry officially gained ownership of the property in May 2024. Sources previously told PEOPLE that Bloom and Perry began renting out the property in February 2025.
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PEOPLE confirmed Perry and Orlando ended their relationship after nine years together in June 2025. They first met at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2016. A source told PEOPLE “the split is amicable,” adding, “They got to a point where they feel there is no going back to a healthy relationship and that it's better to live separate lives."
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
