A high-profile real estate battle between music icon Katy Perry and elderly veteran Carl Westcott has intensified—and it’s now sparking calls for national elder protections in home sales.
Advocates are rallying around a new proposal: the PERRY Act, a measure designed to safeguard older Americans from potentially harmful real estate contracts.
And it all stems from one mansion in Montecito.
A Mansion, a Superstar, and an Ailing Veteran
According to a court document filed on November 21, 2025 and obtained by People, the singer is seeking $4,718,698.95 in damages from Westcott.
She claims she lost more than $3.5 million in rental value because of the years-long dispute, along with an additional $1.34 million in necessary repairs.
After accounting for an offset recognizing Westcott’s losses, the total comes just under $4.72 million.
But Westcott’s attorneys counter with their own claim: they say Perry has not paid the full purchase price of the property. According to their filing, about $6 million of the $15 million sale remains unpaid, meaning they believe the true outstanding amount—after repair costs—sits around $5.74 million.
The 1930s estate was purchased in July 2020 by Perry and her then-partner, actor Orlando Bloom.
Westcott’s Plea: “I Lacked Capacity”
Soon after the sale, Westcott tried to reverse the transaction.
He said he had undergone major back surgery and was heavily medicated at the time of signing, leaving him mentally impaired. He also had an existing diagnosis of Huntington’s disease, a progressive condition that affects cognitive and physical abilities.
He filed a lawsuit in August 2020 against Perry’s business manager Bernie Gudvi, arguing the sale was invalid.
But in late 2023, a judge ruled against him. The court found he had not shown enough evidence to prove he lacked the capacity to consent. Perry’s team also noted he had a backup offer from Maria Shriver at the time.
By then, Westcott’s health had declined sharply. Family photos shared on social media showed him bedridden and receiving full-time hospice care.
A Family’s Heartbreak
Westcott’s family has remained outspoken throughout the ordeal.
His son said an apology would be appreciated, emphasizing the emotional toll the case has taken. In 2023, Westcott’s daughter-in-law posted intimate images of him in hospice care, thanking supporters and sharing the family’s grief over the ruling.
She wrote that they would continue to fight for rights and protections for older adults facing cognitive challenges.
Introducing the PERRY Act
The legal fight has now sparked something larger: a push for elder protection laws.
Advocates have proposed the Protecting Elderly Realty for Retirement Years Act—or the PERRY Act, named both for the issue it addresses and the celebrity case that brought national attention to the problem.
The act would require a mandatory 72-hour cooling-off period for any home sale involving a person 75 or older.
During this window, either side could withdraw with no penalties.
The concept mirrors existing cooling-off rules in some states—such as provisions in New Jersey—but would apply specifically to seniors entering major real estate agreements.
A Debate Bigger Than One Mansion
Whether the legislation passes remains unknown.
But one thing is clear: this dispute has become more than a battle over property. It has ignited a national conversation about how to protect older Americans from potential exploitation—intentional or not—during life-changing financial decisions.
And for many watching, the fight between a global superstar and a declining veteran has transformed into something much deeper: a discussion about dignity, autonomy, and fairness.
