Community Corner

Mel Gibson's Ex Abandons Claim on His Sherman Oaks House

Mel Gibson's former flame has dropped her lawsuit in which she alleged her former lawyers botched a settlement with the actor that included a total of $750,000 as well as joint legal and physical custody of their daughter, Lucia.

Oksana Grigorieva filed paperwork with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Hess on May 20 asking that the complaint against lawyers Ronald Litz and Daniel Horowitz be dropped. The paperwork was handwritten and signed by the Russian singer-songwriter.

The court papers say Grigorieva's request is ``without prejudice,'' meaning she can revive the action at a later time. The documents did not divulge whether Grigorieva dropped the case due to a settlement or for other reasons. However, she checked a box indicating she is ``not recovering anything of value by this action.''

 In her complaint filed Jan. 17, the 43-year-old Grigorieva alleged Litz and Horowitz negligently advised her to sign a quit claim deed. As a result, according to her court papers, Grigorieva gave up all of her interest in the Sherman Oaks residence she lives in that belonged to the ``Braveheart'' star, the suit stated.

Grigorieva's suit also stated that because of the arrangement she signed, she could not sue without losing and jeopardizing the monetary settlement she received.

 Under the conditions announced during a hearing before Judge Peter Lichtman nearly two years ago, Grigorieva may stay in Gibson's Sherman Oaks home until 3-year-old Lucia is 18 years old. After she reaches that age, she and Gibson concurred that the home will be sold and the proceeds put in a trust for their daughter. The girl will be 4 years old on Oct. 30.

 Gibson agreed to pay the $750,000 to Grigorieva in three installments -- $250,000 after signing paperwork giving up all her other claims, another $250,000 by this September and the final $250,000 by September 2016.

—from City News Service reports


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