The jury issued its verdict yesterday in the Virginia defamation lawsuit between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard. After three weeks of trial, the jury concluded that Ms. Heard’s statements were defamatory. Yesterday’s verdict has left many people asking whether damages awarded in a defamation case are dischargeable in bankruptcy. Ordinarily, when a person files bankruptcy and receives a discharge, this means that the bankrupt party’s debts are eliminated and do not need to be repaid. Dischargeability depends upon what else the jury concludes. The Bankruptcy Code says that debts based on liability “for willful and malicious injury by… read more »
Larry Young: Bankruptcy
Article by: Larry Young, Esquire Title 11 of the United States Code is the Bankruptcy Code, enacted pursuant to Congress’s constitutional authority to make a uniform law respecting bankruptcy. Most people understand that the overall concept of bankruptcy is to get a discharge from debts and to get what the Bankruptcy Code refers to as a “fresh start.” Most people are also aware of what is normally dischargeable: credit cards, utility bills and medical bills, as well as mortgage and car loan deficiencies. Most people however, are unaware of the limitations that exist on the ability to obtain a discharge…. read more »