Melissa Etheridge Accuses Ex of Using Their Children as "Pawns"

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."

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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.