A luxury mansion, a beloved pop star, and an ailing veteran caught in a multimillion-dollar tug-of-war. A new development in the continued legal battle between musical superstar Katy Perry and the former owner of her Montecito home, entrepreneur Carl Westcott, has surfaced.
According to a court document filed on November 21, 2025, that People magazine obtained, the artist is requesting a substantial sum of money. However, Westcott has claimed that Perry still owes him millions from the original sale price of the home.
Katy Perry’s Shocking Demand: Millions in Damages
Perry is requesting a total of $4,718,698.95 in damages from Westcott. She claims she is “entitled to $3,525,000 in rental value,” which she says she lost due to the ongoing dispute.
She is also seeking $1,343,401.95 for what she describes as necessary repairs to the property. After a $149,703 offset acknowledging Westcott’s own reported losses, the total comes to just under $4.72 million.
Westcott’s legal team disputes this. In a filing submitted on November 7 in Los Angeles, he alleges that Perry has not yet paid the full purchase price of the mansion. According to him, she still owes approximately $6 million of the $15 million sale price, claiming she has only paid $9 million so far.
Accounting for repair costs, Westcott’s side argues that the adjusted amount still outstanding is roughly $5,740,418.18.
The Montecito estate — a sprawling 1930s mansion — was purchased by Perry and her then-partner, Orlando Bloom, in July 2020.
‘Lacked Capacity’: A Seller’s Plea After a Painful Surgery
Shortly after the transaction, Westcott — founder of 1-800-Flowers and a former Army serviceman — sought to reverse the sale. He argued that he “lacked capacity” when he signed the contract.
In August 2020, he filed a lawsuit against Perry’s business manager, Bernie Gudvi, beginning a years-long legal conflict.
Westcott, now in his 80s and suffering from Huntington’s disease, claimed that a recent back surgery left him heavily medicated and mentally impaired at the time of the agreement.
However, a judge ruled in Perry’s favor at the end of 2023, stating that Westcott failed to provide convincing evidence that he lacked the mental capacity to consent. Perry’s team also noted that Westcott had a backup offer from Maria Shriver, supporting the argument that he knowingly entered the sale.
By 2023, Westcott’s health had drastically declined. Bedridden and receiving round-the-clock hospice care, his family expressed their heartbreak publicly.
Westcott’s Family Speaks Out: ‘We Proudly Fought for Carl’
Westcott’s son stated that an apology would be welcome, underscoring the emotional toll on their family. His daughter-in-law shared deeply personal photos of Westcott in hospice, surrounded by loved ones, and thanked supporters for their empathy.
She wrote that while Westcott could no longer fight for himself, the family fought on his behalf — and would continue advocating for those with conditions like Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s, who may be vulnerable in major financial decisions.
The PERRY Act Emerges
The legal dispute has expanded into a broader conversation about protecting vulnerable seniors in real estate dealings. Advocates for elder rights have since proposed the PERRY Act — Protecting Elderly Realty for Retirement Years Act — named fittingly given the high-profile catalyst.
The proposed legislation would require:
A mandatory 72-hour cooling-off period for any real estate sale involving an individual over 75
Either party may rescind the agreement within that window, penalty-free
This aims to prevent cases where cognitive impairment, pressure, or medication may influence major financial decisions.
The proposal echoes existing cooling-off rules in some states, like New Jersey, where real estate contracts can be canceled shortly after signing.
Whether the PERRY Act will become law remains uncertain, but the case has clearly ignited a nationwide discussion on dignity, fairness, and protection for elderly individuals in high-stakes transactions.
