Actress Denise Richards has launched a legal bid to separate her joint bank account with ex-husband Charlie Sheen.

The 37-year-old has a number of financial obligations - including paying her late mother's medical bills - and is demanding the accounts are divided equally so she can start spending her share.

In her motion, Richards is demanding between $100,000 and $250,000 is split between the pair, reports TMZ.com.

The couple split in 2005 after three years of marriage. Their divorce was made official a year later.