Hunter Biden Claims Family ‘Broke’ Amid $17 Million Legal Bill Fight

Hunter Biden has asserted that his family possesses no wealth and that he is currently overwhelmed by substantial legal expenses, according to a recently unsealed deposition transcript. This declaration comes amidst an ongoing legal dispute between Biden and the law firm Winston Taylor, which is pursuing him for an alleged $17 million in unpaid legal fees.

The Legal Battle Over Millions in Fees

Winston Taylor, a firm with a notable history of representing prominent Democratic figures, contends that Hunter Biden owes them a significant sum for their representation across various criminal prosecutions, congressional inquiries, and defamation cases targeting his critics. In the deposition, Biden stated, “My family doesn’t have any money, and it’s not their debt anyway.” He further elaborated on his personal financial state, noting, “I don’t own anything of any value other than — and I don’t know the value of it — my paintings which I painted myself. So that’s it. And I don’t have any other assets at all, stocks, bonds, anything like that, savings accounts.”

Biden also claimed in the deposition, which took place in February but was recently released by his new legal team, “I don’t have any assets. I don’t own a car. I don’t own a phone.” He is arguing that Winston Taylor was aware of his financial limitations when they agreed to represent him and that there was a mutual understanding to arrange a payment plan. Conversely, the law firm maintains that they attempted to connect Biden with potential donors within the Democratic party to assist with his mounting legal costs.

Financial Strain on the Biden Family?

The assertion of financial hardship within the Biden family echoes previous reports. In September 2025, The Wall Street Journal indicated that former President Joe Biden faced greater challenges in monetizing his post-presidency compared to his predecessors. Sources familiar with his financial situation reported that upon leaving office, he had accumulated approximately $800,000 in personal debt and was contending with increased property taxes on his $2.7 million home in Delaware. Additionally, Joe Biden reportedly experienced difficulties securing paid speaking engagements, a typical revenue stream for former presidents, potentially due to his public standing and concerns about alienating Donald Trump.

Despite these reported financial pressures, Joe Biden continues to receive a substantial annual income from government pensions, estimated at over $400,000, stemming from his service in Congress and the White House, according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. This contrasts with Hunter Biden’s claims of having no significant assets.

Hunter Biden’s Past Spending and Current Defense

Hunter Biden’s current financial predicament and claimed lack of assets are juxtaposed against a history of reported extravagant spending and struggles with substance abuse. Reports suggest significant expenditures on crack cocaine, alcohol, luxury hotel stays, and expensive gifts, including jewelry for his brother’s widow, with whom he had a romantic relationship. These habits, coupled with substantial earnings from his role at the Ukrainian energy company Burisma and the sale of his artwork, may offer context for his current financial state.

In his defense against Winston Taylor’s claims, Biden’s legal team is emphasizing the firm’s alleged prior knowledge of his inability to pay. They contend that the agreement was predicated on a future arrangement for payment, rather than an immediate expectation of full settlement. The firm, however, disputes this, asserting proactive efforts to find financial support for Biden.

A Small Legal Victory and Collection Challenges

Hunter Biden did achieve a partial legal success in July, when a judge awarded him $1.7 million in a defamation lawsuit. However, Winston Taylor has moved to place a lien on this judgment. Adding to the complexity, the CEO of Overstock, Patrick Byrne, who was ruled against in that case, is reportedly living abroad, which complicates the process of collecting the awarded funds.

Representatives for Hunter Biden and former President Joe Biden have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these developments.