Daveigh Chase’s mom allegedly put daughter’s mental and physical well being at risk prompting actress to file for legal emancipation - Report 

Daveigh Chase's $400,000 estate has become the center of a legal dispute, more than two months after the Donnie Darko actress passed away in Los Angeles at thirty-five years old. Her parents are now fighting over who gets to administer it. A new filing has only made things messier. As per court documents obtained by Us Weekly on August 27, John Ryan, a friend and former business manager of Daveigh Chase, filed paperwork objecting to her mother Cathy Chase's petition to control the late actress' estate.

That being said, Ryan is backing Daveigh's father, John Schwallier, in the dispute. In the documents, Ryan alleged that the Lilo & Stitch actress had confided in him years ago about wanting to pursue legal emancipation from her mother, sharing that

"At that time, Daveigh told me that she wanted to take this action because she believed that her mother was taking advantage of Daveigh's finances and putting Daveigh's physical and mental well-being at risk."

Ryan further stated in the documents that he helped connect Daveigh with professionals who could assist her through the emancipation process in the mid-2000s, as per Us Weekly. The filing has added a significant new layer to an already complicated estate battle.

John Ryan claims he is owed fees from Daveigh Chase's estate as her mother disputes emancipation claims:

John Ryan's objection filing wasn't limited to the emancipation claim. As per the court documents, Ryan also alleged that he is owed fees for work he carried out for Daveigh Chase prior to her death, as well as on residuals after she passed away. Ryan also made a pointed claim about Daveigh's family relationships in the docs. He alleged that

"Daveigh was estranged from her father when her parents divorced ... and still, while a minor, Daveigh became estranged from her mother."

Cathy Chase, however, is pushing back hard. As per court docs filed on August 19, Daveigh's mom is challenging the claim that her daughter was ever emancipated from her, stating that

"Cathy does not concede that [her daughter] ever filed for or obtained a declaration of emancipation. She has no knowledge of any such proceeding, was never served with the notice required ... and never received the consent form required."

She added that the claim was "entirely unsupported." The docs also read that even if an emancipation order did exist, it would

"establish nothing about Cathy's present fitness to administer this estate."

Daveigh Chase's father requests neutral third party to administer estate as both parents fight for control:

Daveigh Chase's father wasn't staying quiet either. As per the court documents, Schwallier's attorney filed objection paperwork on August 17, requesting that the court deny Cathy's petition and either approve his nomination for an administrator or bring in a neutral third party instead.

In his filing, Schwallier acknowledged that Daveigh had been estranged from both of her parents and was living on the streets of Los Angeles at the time of her death. He also alleged a lack of competency on Cathy's part, adding that he

"believes Daveigh filed for emancipation ... from [Cathy] due to allegations of financial irregularities by [her mother]."

Schwallier further objected to Cathy being appointed to manage the estate, citing that she had been separated from Daveigh since her alleged emancipation. Cathy, for her part, is asking the court to deny both of her ex-husband's requests. She claimed she has priority as an heir and is "fully competent," also pointing out that she had previously served as trustee for her late daughter without taking any payment for the role. Her lawyer added that

"a parent who voluntarily doubled the statutory protection of her child's earnings, and served without pay in doing so, is not a person this court needs to displace in favor of a paid stranger."

Daveigh Chase's cause of death confirmed:

As per a report shared by Us Weekly back in June, Daveigh Chase's official cause of death had been confirmed. According to Los Angeles medical examiner records obtained exclusively by Us Weekly, Chase died of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS, with chronic polysubstance use listed as a significant contributing condition. She died in a hospital and the manner of death was recorded as natural.

Chase's boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed her death to TMZ on June 17, sharing that she had passed away one day prior after battling meningitis and a blood infection that led to sepsis. Shortly before her death, Hernandez had launched a GoFundMe campaign detailing her health struggles, where he wrote that

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"Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life. Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from Lilo & Stitch, Spirited Away and Donnie Darko, but behind the scenes, she's faced more than her share of hardship," he shared.

"After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown L.A. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope," he added.

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