Melissa Etheridge Was Expecting a Call From the Kids, Got Served Instead

In the latest court filing, Etheridge slams Tammy Lynn Michaels' request for more money

By Natalie Finn Jul 16, 2010 1:03 AMTags
Melissa Etheridge, Tammy Lynn Michaels Lester Cohen/WireImage.com

A process server didn't come to Melissa Etheridge's window, but his arrival at the door of her hotel room wasn't particularly welcome, either.

"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," Etheridge states in a declaration released Thursday in which she describes how she was presented with her ex's petition for sole custody of their 3-year-old twins.

The Grammy and Oscar winner says Michaels told her the kids were going to meet Etheridge at her hotel. "Finally, I received a text message...stating, 'My plans changed, sorry,'" the singer recounts.

Etheridge offered up this custody-battle fodder as part of a filing objecting to Michaels' request for more spousal support, plus $4,300 in monthly child-support payments so that the former Popular actress—who says she has no income at this time—can afford childcare while she's out working.

Among the monthly expenses Michaels lists in her latest court filing are $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.

Etheridge makes between $600,000 and $750,000 a month, Michaels claims—more than enough to fork over more dough.

But Etheridge, who stated in her petition to dissolve their domestic partnership that she wants to share custody of daughter Johnnie Rose and son Miller, isn't biting.

Her lawyer told a judge Monday that his client has been giving Michaels $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.

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Big Celebrity Splits suck when there are kids involved, don't they?