Bilaal Salaam Insists He Can't Pay Jada Pinkett Smith $32K Because He Is Homeless And On Welfare

Bilaal Salaam says he is homeless, receiving welfare benefits, and unable to pay more than $32,000 in attorney fees awarded to Jada Pinkett Smith after a judge dismissed key portions of his lawsuit against her.

Seeking relief from the debt, he has asked the judge to either reduce the amount owed or allow installments over time, arguing that his financial condition makes immediate repayment impossible. Filings do not challenge the debt itself and instead focus on his inability to satisfy the judgment.

A Los Angeles jurist previously ordered Salaam to pay $32,836 in legal fees after Pinkett Smith successfully defeated several emotional distress claims he brought against her. As reported by TMZ, recent paperwork describes him as a "certified homeless" individual who relies on welfare assistance and cannot comply with the amount owed under his present circumstances.

Threat allegations emerged from a lawsuit claiming Pinkett Smith and people connected to her targeted him after he declined to help Will Smith manage fallout from the 2022 Oscars incident involving Chris Rock. Included in those allegations were claims that he was warned he could "catch a bullet" if he continued sharing private information about the Smith family.

Pinkett Smith denied wrongdoing and fought the allegations. Judges ultimately rejected major portions of the emotional distress claims after finding insufficient evidence to support them.

Money troubles now sit at the center of the matter. Rather than contesting the fee award, he is asking for a reduction or a payment arrangement that reflects his housing status.

Securing relief from the judgment may prove difficult. Earlier proceedings reduced the amount from nearly $49,000 to $32,836 after the total was lowered to reflect the judge's decision.

No ruling has been issued on the latest request. Until that happens, the former associate remains responsible for the debt while awaiting a decision on whether the amount will be reduced or paid through installments.