Baker attends contempt of court hearing

DETROIT, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. singer-songwriter Anita Baker was the focus of a contempt of court hearing in Detroit Friday after she failed to adhere to orders in her divorce case.

The Detroit News said Baker could have faced jail time because she didn't sufficiently explain to Wayne County Chief Family Court Judge Lita M. Popke Thursday why she failed to follow her orders to sign papers authorizing a court-appointed music industry expert to seek information from record companies regarding payments they made to her.

Baker avoided jail time, though, by explaining her side of the matter Friday, the newspaper said.

The documents are expected to help calculate what Baker's ex-husband Walter Bridgforth is due in music royalties.

The terms of the former couple's 2008 divorce stated Bridgforth is entitled to 50 percent of the royalties to two albums Baker recorded during their 20-year marriage.

The Detroit News said Baker has refused to sign the letters because she thinks some of the language contained in them does not accurately reflect the divorce terms to which she agreed.

Popke Friday ordered Baker to meet with the expert to rewrite some of the language she didn't like, the newspaper said.