Lindsay Lohan's festive celebrations were marred as her parents ended up in court over a child support battle.

The Mean Girls star's mother Dina took her ex-husband Michael to court on December 23, accusing him of failing to pay $40,000 in child support.

The former husband and wife are parents to the 23-year-old actress, as well as her younger siblings Michael Jr., Aliana and Dakota.

Dina claims her ex made a considerable sum of money after releasing taped private phone calls with Lindsay to the media earlier this year - and wants him to hand over the payments he allegedly owes.

She tells the New York Post gossip column Page Six, "It is sad that the day before Christmas Eve, I was back in court with Michael over child support. He claims he's broke and can't pay - yet he drives around in a Mercedes and has a house in the Hamptons.

"He got paid for selling tape recordings of private conversations relating to Lindsay, but he won't pay for his children."

But the Lohan matriarch is determined to remain optimistic as she rings in the New Year with her kids.

She adds, "A lot has happened, but we'll end the year on a positive note. We always have a big celebration, we always invite all manner of strays and friends to join in."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)