Talks collapse in Burton’s legal fight with ex

Los Angeles – Mediation talks collapsed between Tim Burton and his ex-girlfriend, who claims she was cheated out of her rights to assets that the director promised her during their nearly decadelong relationship, attorneys said.

The legal fight is scheduled to play out before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Harold I. Cherness on Aug. 12.

Lisa Marie, a former Calvin Klein model, met Burton at a club in 1991 and went on to star in several of his movies while the couple lived together. Burton broke up with her nearly 10 years later.

In December 2006, Marie sued Burton, saying he promised her that they would “combine their efforts and earnings and would share equally any and all” accumulated property. The lawsuit also claimed that Burton said he would financially support her for the rest of her life.

After the split, Marie said she consulted with an attorney, who told her she would have little chance of prevailing in a palimony suit, the lawsuit said. Marie claims the lawyer colluded with Burton and persuaded her to enter into contracts with the director that deprived her of her rights.

According to court papers filed by Burton’s attorney, the director gave Marie $5 million to sign a contract releasing him from any further claims to his assets.