Hollywood star Anne Heche and her estranged husband have split the cost of their home after becoming embroiled in a bitter divorce battle. Former lesbian Heche and Coley Laffoon split in earty 2007 with insults being traded on both sides.
They squared off in court as Laffoon launched a bitter attack on the actress calling her a poor parent with "bizarre and delusional behviour."
Laffoon, 33, was seeking $33,000 a month from the star as well as primary physical custody of their five-year-old son Homer.
Heche would see her son for around 25% of the time, under his requested custody settlement.
But hitting back Heche denounced her ex-husband as a lay-about who spends all his time looking at porn and playing ping pong ball.
In court papers lodged in a Los Angeles court, Heche opposed Laffoon's demands to have major physical custody of their five-year-old son Homer.
She denied claims made by Laffoon that she had been irresponsible by allowing her son to shower with her new boyfriend, did not use a car seat and does not have time for Homer.
She in turn claimed Laffoon is a layabout who leaves Homer with nannies while he watches pornography on his computer.
She resisted his demands to receive $33,000 a month in spousal support.
Now the couple have faced off in court again but refused to even look at each other as a judge each awarded them $240,000 in proceeds from last year's sale of the home they formerly shared in Hancock Park.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gail Ruderman Feuer, who is presiding over the ex-couple's divorce case, said she was disbursing the money - which does not represent the total proceeds from the sale of the residence - so Heche and Laffoon can pay their lawyers and also so he can pay his rent at his current residence.
Heche also is under order to pay Laffoon's attorneys' fees. Laffoon's lawyer, Melvin S. Goldsman, said his fees to date total $41,000.
Both Heche and Laffoon were present, but did not talk to each other.
Today's hearing was originally scheduled to deal with Laffoon's request for a modification of spousal and child support orders, but the judge delayed a decision until April 14 so she can further review his financial needs. Laffoon is now seeking $14,800 a month in combined spousal and child support.
Daniel J. Jaffe, one of Heche's lawyers, said he was pleased with the court's ruling regarding the house money. "This is what we've been arguing for all along," said Jaffe, who said he has held the money from the sale of the home in his attorney-client trust account while awaiting the judge's order on how to disburse it.
The writers strike has had a serious impact on Heche's earning capacity, Jaffe said. "We don't know if the show is going to be picked up for a third season," he added.
However, Goldsman told Feuer that Heche recently was making $62,000 a month and bought a home in Canada, where her show is filmed.
He said the actress' claims of financial difficulties are 'nonsense' and 'absurd'.
Laffoon, a 32-year-old freelance videographer and editor, married Heche, 38, in September 2001 and filed for divorce last February 1.
Their son, Homer, will turn 6 on March 2.
By Nicola Pittam, Jan 29 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy
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