In a long-running legal battle over a luxury mansion in Montecito, California, a judge has ruled in favor of Katy Perry, awarding her about US $1.84 million in damages against the previous owner, Carl Westcott — a disabled, elderly veteran whose claim that he lacked the mental capacity to complete the sale was rejected.
The conflict began in 2020, when Perry and then-partner Orlando Bloom agreed to purchase the sprawling $15 million estate from Westcott. But days after the sale, Westcott tried to back out. He claimed he had recently undergone surgery and was on strong pain medication at the time of signing, and thus was not mentally fit to consent to the sale.
For years, the case wound its way through the courts. In December 2023, a judge concluded that Westcott had “presented no persuasive evidence” that he lacked capacity when he sold the property, and thus upheld the original contract.
Even after the contract was affirmed, the dispute didn’t end. Perry sought compensation for what she argued were financial losses stemming from the drawn-out litigation: she claimed she lost out on potential rental income and incurred expenses due to deferred repairs and maintenance during the period the home remained locked in legal limbo.
In filings submitted in November 2025, her legal team requested nearly US $4.72 million, representing about $3.525 million in lost rental value plus roughly $1.343 million for alleged repairs.
However, the court awarded a smaller amount: approximately $1.842 million — not the full sum Perry sought, but a significant win nonetheless.
The decision has renewed public scrutiny and debate. Critics argue the lawsuit demonstrates a stark power imbalance: a global pop star leveraging legal and financial resources against an elderly, disabled veteran who reportedly suffers from a serious degenerative disease.
Supporters of Perry’s side counter that real estate law demands clarity and enforceability in contracts. They point out that Westcott willingly sold the property, the papers were signed and notarized, and a thorough legal review found he had the capacity to understand the terms.
The house itself, built in a sprawling Montecito estate, spans more than 9,000 square feet, with multiple bedrooms, guest houses, and upscale amenities — the kind of luxury home that has long drawn the attention of high-net-worth buyers.
As of now, Perry (via associated business entities) is confirmed as the lawful owner. The judgment represents financial compensation for the period of dispute and delays, but the public perception remains divided: some see it as a vindication of contractual rights, others as a cautionary tale of wealth, power, and vulnerability in high-stakes property deals.
