topic Re: Personal bad debt deduction for unpaid court-ordered attorney’s fees in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Personal bad debt deduction for unpaid court-ordered attorney’s fees

LisaHO5 — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:15:28 GMT

Hello,

I have not been able to find any info online related to my specific (personal) uncollectible bad debt situation. I’m looking for info related to whether or not I can legally deduct the amt awarded to me by a Calif Superior Court judge for legal fees I incurred in defending myself against malicious, vile, and fabricated accusations made by an ex son-in-law. The debt is uncollectible bec he moved out of state, has hidden all his assets and has no qualms about perjuring himself in court and submitting many falsified documents to the Court.

Re: Personal bad debt deduction for unpaid court-ordered attorney’s fees

Bsch4477 — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:32:46 GMT

You can’t deduct personal legal fees.

Re: Personal bad debt deduction for unpaid court-ordered attorney’s fees

LisaHO5 — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 02:37:26 GMT

Wow, that was a very quick response! Thank you so much (even though it's not the answer that I wanted to hear!)!

I thought I had read someth somewhere that said if the attorney's fees were awarded for some type of egregious act that was malicious in nature, then that would quality as a legitimate personal bad debt deduction.

Anyway, I really appreciate you taking the time to read and respond to my question!