Whitney Houston's stepmother is lining up a court battle with the pop superstar over money she claims she's owed from her late husband's will.

The singer was made a beneficiary to her dad's estate when John Houston died in 2003 at the age of 82 - but Barbara Houston alleges she is entitled to a share of her late husband's estate - and she never received it.

In a lawsuit filed in May (08), Barbara alleges her stepdaughter was instructed to use John Houston's $1 million life insurance policy to pay off the mortgage on his apartment and hand over the title to the property and any remaining funds.

In the court papers, obtained by TMZ.com, Barbara insists she has not received a cent from the star. Whitney has denied all the claims. (IG/WNWCZM/KL)

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