Why Amber Heardwont be able to pay $10.4 millionshe owes Johnny Depp

Amber Heard is “broke” due to hefty legal fees associated with the defamation trial which is why she can’t pay the money she now owes to Johnny Depp after the court ruled against her in the case, according to a report.

Heard’s attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, told NBC’s “Today,” that can’t pay the hefty amount handed down by the jury on Wednesday.

The high-profile court battle with her ex-husband left the 36-year-old actress with little finance, sources told the New York Post. The sources also said that Heard’s past lavish spending, on travel, clothes, gifts and wine has left her with no money. 

Also Read | How Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s long trial played out: A timeline

Multiple sources said the “Aquaman” star had to switch legal representation. According to the sources, she is now depending on her homeowners insurance policy to cover the cost of her current attorneys in the case.

The Travelers Companies under terms of the actress’ insurance policy have been mostly taking care of Heard’s attorney’s bills. 

The Vice president of the insurance firm, Pamela Johnson, was spotted in the Fairfax, Virginia court with Heard multiple times throughout her trial. 

However, these claims cannot be independently verified.

According to legal experts, using homeowner insurance policies is common in defamation cases.

Also Read | Johnny Depp on Amber Heard defamation trial verdict: New chapter has begun

“It’s a little oddity that most people don’t know. In most homeowner insurance policies, there is coverage if you are sued for defamation based on how much you pay through coverage,” Heather Heidelbaugh, a Pennsylvania trial attorney, told The New York Post.

However, most policies have a clause that judgement costs won’t be covered, according to Virginia lawyer Jeremiah Denton

“The insurance company will keep in its back pocket the option of denying coverage at the end of the day — denying coverage means refusing to pay the plaintiff, in this case Mr. Depp,” Denton reportedly said.

On Wednesday, the Virginia court ruled in favor of Depp in the defamation case, the trial for which went on six weeks.