Ellen DeGeneres’ auto accident lawsuit takes a nasty turn in an unexpected move that could result in her return to the United States

Ellen DeGeneres, who is reportedly preparing to return to the United States, is experiencing unexpected occurrences.

The comedian first moved to the United Kingdom with her spouse, Portia de Rossi, in part to escape the political atmosphere after Donald Trump won the election.

The timetable may be closer than anticipated as a 2023 legal issue involving DeGeneres takes a new turn, even though the couple had already been thinking about going back.

A New Development in Ellen DeGeneres’ Automobile Accident Case 

The plaintiff in the case against DeGeneres filed for a jury trial on December 15. However, according to PEOPLE Magazine, just a bench trial has been set for this time.

Additionally, the documents show that on December 9, mediation took place. However, because DeGeneres lives abroad, she has not yet received formal service. Officials stated that in order to access her domicile in the United Kingdom, service will be provided in accordance with the Hague Convention.

The woman stated in the complaint that the collision with DeGeneres “sustained serious injuries and incurred significant income/business loss” for her. 

According to The Blast, even though the event occurred in October 2023, the complainant initially filed the action back in September. The victim filed a negligence lawsuit against the former talk show host, claiming that she struck her car after failing to stop at a sign.

The woman complained that while she was operating a Tesla in Santa Barbara County, she checked for oncoming traffic and stopped completely at a plainly defined intersection. She was apparently hurt when DeGeneres’ car collided with hers as she was moving forward.

Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres are reportedly preparing to return to the United States.

The 67-year-old TV celebrity and her partner are reportedly getting ready to leave the Cotswolds because of the severe winter weather and a desire to get back in touch with friends, according to latest developments in the case.

“She’s been telling friends they are coming home soon because they miss them and can’t handle the winters over there, and Portia wants to act again,” according to a source who spoke to The Blast.

“They will be here for the holidays and longer by the sound of it,” the insider continued.

Will Ellen DeGeneres Always Be in California?

While DeGeneres has stated that she will return to California, it is unclear how long she will stay. Although no timeframe has been provided, sources indicate the shift is only temporary.

The vacation would continue through the holidays, according to a source, but DeGeneres was adamant about returning “sooner rather than later.”

Since she and Portia de Rossi sold their houses in the United States before moving overseas, it is unclear where they would dwell.

Their five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom Montecito estate was advertised for $29.9 million in January. Four years after purchasing it for $2.9 million, they put another property up for sale in March for roughly $5 million.

Flooding Affects Ellen DeGeneres’ U.K. Estate While Sales Stall

Five months after listing their previous Cotswolds property for sale, DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are still having trouble selling it.

According to The Blast, the couple paid £15 million ($19.8 million) for the Oxfordshire home in December of last year in the hopes of settling into British life without any problems. Unfortunately, when Storm Bert forced a local river to overflow, flooding the grounds, those preparations fell apart in an instant.

In July 2025, the couple listed the 43-acre estate for £22.5 million ($29.7 million) after moving to higher ground. But as of yet, no purchasers have expressed interest in the home.

A Star Of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” Honored Fan Tayt Anderson

In the midst of ongoing legal issues and a housing dilemma, DeGeneres has made time to grieve the passing of Tayt Anderson, a fan who became a favorite on her show and whom she lovingly called her “only boyfriend.”

Doctors previously said Tayt wouldn’t live past three months because he was born with only the right side of his heart, yet he repeatedly exceeded their predictions. He had twelve procedures by the time he was nine years old, and he had a heart transplant when he was ten. He tragically died in September at the age of 19.

According to The Blast, DeGeneres paid tribute to his memories in a poignant statement, calling him a “special little human being who brought pleasure, life, and laughter into every room.”