The relationship between parents and their children- there is no such stronger bond. They say blood is thicker than water. But sadly, when business and family mix up, the bond can easily break. Take for example celebrities and their families. Whenever a popular figure involves their family into their businesses, there aren’t many happy endings.
Here, are 10 celebrities who sued their own family (and vice versa) for money.
Corey Feldman
Corey Feldman became a millionaire in his early teens. He is a well-known youth actor during the 1980s’ with a super slate film like Stand by Me, The Goonies, The Lost Boys, and Gremlins, and so on.
In 1986, he discovered that his parents had spent a large portion of his earning and just the remaining $40,000 in the bank. Later on, Feldman Sought emancipation from his parents and seeking total independence from his parents. When he was 15 years, he was freed from their legal custody.
Macaulay Culkin:
Macaulay Culkin is a famous American actor, podcaster, and musician. He is one of the most adored and successful actors in the 1990s’. Everyone loved his classic 90s movies like Home Alone, Uncle Buck, and Richie Rich.
Unfortunately, the Culkin pulled between his parents during a nasty custody battle after his parents divorced when he was a teenager. Culkin and his wealth became the central part of the custody dispute. At the age of 15, Culkin sued to remove both parents. The judge appointed an accountant to manage the money of Culkin until he turns 18 years.
Gray Coleman:
Gray Coleman was an American actor, comedian, and writer. He was the highest-paid child star in the late 70s and early 80s’. However, in 1989 he sued his parents and the business manager claiming to mismanage his money.
In 1993, a court voted in Coleman’s favor and awarded him about $1.3 million. However, The money was quickly depleted by bad investment and lawyer fees. After that, the relationship with his parents forever tarnished.
Ariel Winter:
Ariel Winter started her acting career at the age of 4 and became the star of a Modern family TV show. She is also well-known from Voice of the title character of Disney Junior shows, Sofia the First.
Speaking of celebrities who sued their family, in 2012, when she was 14 years, she accused her mother of physical and emotional abuse. After the three-year court battle, she finally granted legal emancipation from her mother. In 2015, At the age of 17 years, she won the court case and granted the writ to her sister Shenelle Grey.
Billy Unger:
Billy Unger is a well-known American actor for playing chase on the Disney XD Series Lab Rats and Lab Rats: Elite Force. When he started as an actor, his father (William Unger) become his talent manager and business advisor.
At the age of 19 years old, he sued his father for breach of contract, frauds, and misused of his income for his father’s benefits. He also took about 33 percent of his salary as a commission despite the industry standard starting between 10 percent to 20 percent.
Aaron Carter:
Aaron Charles Carter is a well-known American rapper in the 1990s’ establish himself as a star among pre-teen and teenagers. He is an actor, singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, and Nick Carter’s little brother.
In 2003, At the age of 16, he accused his mother and his mother’s manager of misappropriating money more than US$100,000 from his bank account. Carter filed for legal emancipation and became a part of the list of celebrities who sued their family. However, later he reconciled with his mother.
Jena Malone
Jena Malone started her career as a child actor. She is also a well-known musician, photographer, and for her roles in both independent films and mainstream blockbuster features.
In 1999, At the age of 14 years, she sued her mother for misspending $ 1 million. Her mother spends her career earnings on “business schemes,” draining her college fund and buying putting down payments on new homes for her father as well as for the three siblings. Jena is seeking legal emancipation from her mother.
Mischa Barton:
Mischa Barton is a British-American film actress as well as a stage actress. She began her career on the stage. For more than 20 years, her mother was her manager.
In 2013, Mischa found her mum had secretly keeping some of her earnings for herself as well as charging Mischa a management fee. She sued her mother in 2015 for stealing her money and the lawsuit also claims that her mother started a business on a fashion boutique as well as handbag line.
LeAnn Rimes:
LeAnn Rimes is an American songwriter, singer, actress, old Country Music Star as well as author. In 1996, she made a breakthrough into country music with her debut album Blue.
In 2000, when she sued her father (Wilbur Rimer) allegedly stealing about $7 million (roughly estimated as 30% of her income). She claims her father duplicating and augmenting management or procedure fees as well as practicing improper business tactics through a vendor. But her father claimed that he owned money. Later on, the reconciled both cases.
Leighton Meester:
Leighton is an American actress, well-known for her starring role in Gossip Girl (American Teen Drama) and other movies like Killer Movies, Country Strong, the RoomMate, and The Orange. In addition to acting, she is also a singer, songwriter as well as a model.
In 2011, Leighton Meester sued her mother because she found out that her mother had used the money for personal expenses including Cosmetic Procedure. She used to send money for her brother’s on-going Medical Treatment around £7,500 per month. Leighton won the case.
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