Melissa Etheridge Legally Ends Partnership

Melissa Etheridge went to court Friday to formally end her partnership with Tammy Lynn Michaels, People reports. The 49-year-old Come To My Window singer is seeking joint custody of their 3 1/2-year-old twins.

In a Petition for Dissolution of Domestic Partnership filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Melissa cited irreconcilable differences and asked that the court not award financial support to Tammy Lynn, 35.

The couple, who had registered as domestic partners in August 2005, split late last year after nearly nine years together. Tammy Lynn gave birth to son Miller and daughter Johnnie in October, 2006.

Tammy Lynn has since addressed Melissa's legal decision on her blog. She says that they had "promised, agreed, handshook, pinkyswore no filing until after tour in the fall." Tammy Lynn went on to describe how Melissa has left her financially destitute after she agreed to take the year off to be a stay at home mom.