Mischa Barton Is Suing Her Momager

Well, this is a particularly sad case of moms-turned-managers. Mischa Barton filed a lawsuit against her mother for allegedly exploiting her fame and systematically withholding earnings from her, according to USA Today. The O.C. actress filed a complaint to the Los Angeles Superior Court stating: "This action arises from the tragic tale of a greedy stage mother posing as a talent manager who, instead of acting in the best interest of her daughter/client, schemed to defraud her unsuspecting victim."

Specifically, Barton claims that her mother exclusively controlled her finances, did not welcome her daughter in a Beverly Hills home — even though it was paid for with her daughter's money — and refused, and continues to refuse, to compensate her with funds earned from her acting, modeling, and endorsement services. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barton is seeking triple the amount of money that the court finds her mother to have withheld, but the exact figure the damages is unspecified.

It is upsetting that Barton feels the need to take legal action against her own mother, especially if the allegations are all true. But sadly, this is not the first time that a celebrity has sued their own parents. And many cases of this nature often have to do with finances.

Other stars who have sued their parents include Leighton Meester, who sued her mother, Constance Meester, in 2011 for allegedly misusing her allowance by using it to buy facial injectables rather than for her son's medical expenses. This case ended when, after she filed a countersuit claiming $3 million in damages for sacrificing herself for her daughter's career, Constance withdrew her claims and Leighton was given a default judgment.

Aaron Carter also sued his mother back in December 2003, for allegedly taking more than $100,000 from him without asking his permission. Though the two reconciled the following year and reportedly resolved the financial issues, Carter's mom would reveal to 20/20 in 2005 that she was estranged from him, as well as from most of her other children. Jane Carter told The Associated Press in January 2004, "I'm looking forward to putting my family back together and working together side by side with all my children."

And in 2000, LeAnn Rimes sued her father, Wilbur Rimes, and co-manager, Lyle Walker, for a whopping $7 million — which was just the base figure — for the money that she claimed her father "skimmed over the past several years." Rimes and her father were able to settle their disagreement, but no details were made publicly available. Wilbur Rimes said in a 2002 statement to The Tennessean, "It is difficult to express just how happy I am that all of the legal troubles between my daughter and I are over."

In this case with Barton, as in other cases from the past, it is really too bad that finances have gotten in the way of family, no matter how the case ultimately plays out. We will have to stay tuned.

Image: Getty Images