London, Apr 24 (IANS): Singer Mel B's estranged husband Stephen Belafonte has asked her for a "cash advance" in new court papers.

According to Belafonte's lawyer, his client desperately needs money. Belafonte is said to be broke following his split from Mel B, reports dailymail.co.uk.

In new court papers obtained by The Sun newspaper, Mel B has refused the request, claiming that Belafonte stole money from her instead.

"He has plenty of funds I assume from the amounts he has earned and continues to earn (and taken) to pay for his expenses. We do not believe your client is entitled to much, if any, of the community, but will owe Mel for the amounts he has taken from her without her knowledge or consent," the singer's client has stated in the papers.

The singer filed for divorce from her husband in March after their separation in December 2016. She claimed that Belafonte was extremely abusive during their 10-year marriage.