NEWSMelissa Etheridge Accuses Ex of Using Their Children as "Pawns"
July 16 2010, Published 1:31 p.m. ET
The custody battle between Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels is getting uglier, with the rocker accusing her ex of using their kids "as pawns".
In a declaration released yesterday, Melissa outlines: "In a ploy to have me served, and mistakenly believing that by serving me I would have to dismiss my Petition, Tammy Lynn Michaels used our children as pawns."
E! Online reports that Melissa says Tammy Lynn told her the three-year-old twins were going to meet the singer at her hotel. "Finally, I received a text message...stating, 'My plans changed, sorry,'" the singer recounts.
Melissa revealed this as part of a filing objecting to Tammy Lynn's request for more spousal support, plus $4,300 in monthly child-support payments so the full-time mom can afford childcare while she's out working.
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Tammy Lynn's household expenses listed in her latest court filing include $6,000 for rent, $1,500 for groceries, $800 for eating out and $50 for laundry and cleaning. Plus, she's used to spending $5,000 a month on clothes.
She claims that her ex makes between $600,000 and $750,000 a month.
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But Melissa's lawyer told a judge Monday that his client has been giving Tammy Lynn $2,000 a month and paying all of her household expenses.
The judge then shot down the actress' demand for $25,000 to cover her attorney fees and another $25,000 for day-to-day living.
