Pop star Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom could soon face courtroom questioning as a legal battle over their Montecito estate takes a new turn. Businessman Carl Westcott is seeking judicial permission to question both celebrities regarding an allegedly unpaid balance from their 2020 property transaction.
Court documents obtained by TMZ show the dispute centers on remaining funds from the 2.5-acre property purchase. Westcott, an elderly veteran and the founder of 1-800-Flowers, previously tried to void the sale. He argued that prescription pain medication and recent back surgery left him unable to understand the transaction. However, a judge ruled in December 2023 that the contract was enforceable. Perry and Bloom gained control of the residence in May 2024.
Recent Rulings and Disputed Payments
This legal friction follows a January 2026 ruling where Judge Joseph Lipner awarded Perry about $1.94 million in damages. This sum covered lost rental income and repair costs. The court deducted those damages from the $6 million remaining on the purchase price, leaving a balance of just over $4 million.
Westcott’s legal team claims Perry’s business manager, Bernie Gudvi, wired a partial payment of $900,000 in June 2026, but the rest of the funds remain unpaid. In response, Westcott filed emergency court documents. He requested authorization to subpoena Perry and Bloom to question them directly about the outstanding balance and the management of funds.
Legal Defense and Opposition
Attorneys for Gudvi and Perry strongly opposed the request. They dismissed the filing as an attempt to harass the former couple. Gudvi’s legal team stated the remaining funds are on hold. They are waiting for the resolution of a separate appeal involving more than $3 million in legal fees and costs that Westcott must pay from earlier court decisions.
In an October 8 minute order, Judge Joseph Lipner denied Westcott’s emergency ex parte application. The judge noted the filing failed to show an immediate emergency. The judge added that Westcott can pursue the matter through a properly noticed formal motion.
Background on the Montecito Estate
The California estate dates back to the 1930s. It spans about 9,285 square feet in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains and features eight bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and two guesthouses. August 2025 court testimony revealed that a limited liability company named DDoveB holds the title. The name honors Perry and Bloom’s daughter, Daisy Dove, and lists Bloom as a managing member.
Perry and Bloom ended their romantic relationship in 2025 after dating since 2016, but they continue to co-parent their daughter. Future court rulings will determine whether the former couple must take the stand to answer questions about the Montecito property transaction.
