BARRY WHITE - BARRY WHITE'S WIDOW AND GIRLFRIEND IN COURT BATTLE

BARRY WHITE's widow and girlfriend are embroiled in a bitter battle over the late soul legend's fortune.

KATHERINE DENTON, White's longtime lover and mother of the star's one-year-old daughter BARIANNA, has filed a suit against widow GLODEAN JAMES, administrator of the superstar's estate.

Although the I'VE GOT SO MUCH TO GIVE singer was separated from his wife of two decades for several years, they never divorced, and he never made a will, which caused his multi-million dollar estate to go automatically to his spouse. Nothing, to Denton's knowledge, has been put in her name.

According to Denton's lawsuit, White promised her she would continue living the high life, and court papers say he showered her with presents "including a CHOW, a ROLEX and a LEXUS".

The suit also says that Barry told Denton she would have enough money for the rest of her life and would get the house the two lived in, in a gated community near Los Angeles.

Lawyers for Denton say White referred to Denton as his fiancee, even though he remained married to James.

Denton's Lawyer's state, "This suit is nothing more than a process of fulfilling Barry's expressed intentions and promises."

White died in July (03) from kidney failure, aged 58.