The battle between Michael Douglas and his ex-wife over his "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" paycheck is heading back to a New York court after Diandra Douglas' first lawsuit was dismissed in November 2010. According to the Associated Press, lawyers for both sides were in court on Tuesday over Diandra Douglas' continuing efforts to get half the Academy Award-winning actor's take from the 2010 movie.
Diandra Douglas' first lawsuit was thrown out in November by a New York judge who said the dispute belonged in California, where the couple divorced in 2000 after 23 years together.
"After balancing all competing interests and factors, the California court is the more convenient forum for this matter to be tried," the presiding judge, state Supreme Court Justice Matthew F. Cooper, wrote at the time.
Her lawyers asked the judge Tuesday to reconsider.
The couple's 23-year union ended in a multi-million dollar divorce settlement. Diandra Douglas has made $6.3 million since their divorce from her stake in his residual proceeds from other projects, according to The source. The actor later married Catherine Zeta-Jones in Nov. 18, 2000. Zeta-Jones publicist recently announced the actress checked into a mental health facility for bipolar disorder.
Michael Douglas' lawyer noted his recent fight with throat cancer and said his ex "should be ashamed of herself" for seeking more money when she's gotten more than $51 million from him in the divorce and her stake in some earnings afterward, according to the wire service.
Her lawyers, meanwhile, mentioned his recent purchase of a $5 million-plus home near New York and his children's private schools.
"I've always behaved as a lady, and I always intend to do so in the future," Diandra Douglas said. "I think the facts speak for themselves."
Michael Douglas wasn't at court. His lawyer, Marilyn B. Chinitz, said his former wife's claim was meritless, and "she ought to get the message and move on."
Last year the former couple has appeared in court together for their son's drug possession trial. Cameron Douglas was sentenced to five years in prison on April 20.
During a May interview with The Today Show, Douglas talked about his son's troubles saying, "I've taken blame about being a bad father." He added, "as far as his mother [Diandra] was concerned, she was a very young mother when she had Cameron, and her skills were limited to such an extent."
Michael Douglas announced in January 2011 he has beaten his cancer and that his throat tumor is gone.
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