Exclusives

We're told Yale Galanter has contacted Charlie's lawyers, but a source closely involved with Brooke tells us it has nothing to do with squeezing money out of Sheen -- and absolutely nothing to do with their prenup.

It's unclear why Galanter is contacting Sheen's civil lawyer but we're told emphatically it is not about money.

As we first reported, Brooke wants to move back to L.A. with the kids ASAP and try and work things out with Charlie -- which is why she and Charlie both asked the judge last week to terminate the protective order. Late last week, after the prosecutor went on record opposing the move, Brooke and Charlie asked to modify the restraining order to allow contact between the two of them with a safety net in case things get crazy again.

We've learned the house Lamar bought for his bride -- per their prenup -- is held in his name alone.

TMZ obtained legal docs -- an Interspousal Transfer Grant Deed -- in which Khloe acknowledges their home is Lamar's "sole and separate property."

As we first reported, Lamar plunked down nearly $4 mil for the 8,347 square foot home in Tarzana, CA.

Michael Jackson's estate may be making serious money, but they are also dealing with claims upwards of $20 million, sources tell TMZ.

We're told the best guess is that when the door finally shuts on people who claim Michael Jackson owed them money, the grand total will exceed $20 mil. That includes a $5 million claim from a memorabilia collector, a $1 million claim from someone who wants a cut of the "Thriller" music video, a $2.3 million claim from Dr. Tohme Tohme and a $1.5 million claim from a law firm (there are a number of other law firms that want a piece of the estate).

That does not mean -- by any stretch -- the estate will pay all the claims. We're told some of them are patently bogus and lawyers for the estate will not pay, unless a judge orders them to ante up.

Artie Lange was rushed to a local hospital in New Jersey on Saturday for undisclosed reasons.

A rep for Lange tells TMZ:

"I can confirm that Artie is in the hospital. Artie has chosen to keep all information on this matter between him and his doctor. There will be no further comment."

Lange has been absent from "The Howard Stern Show" for the past few weeks.

The head of the Kardashian clan called 911 on Christmas Eve because a neighbor of his allegedly went nuts outside his house and got into a fight with Pastor Brad -- the guy who married Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom.

When Jenner called 911, he gave this dispatcher his name -- paused for a moment to say "How ya doing?" -- before the dispatcher answered, "I think I've talked to you before."

When your daughters are Kim, Khloe and Kourtney ... it helps to be friends with emergency response teams.

We're told reps from PCDSS came a callin' and interviewed a number of people, including Brooke Mueller, the nannies, the housekeepers (yes, plural) and others. We do not know if they spoke with Charlie, but we do know the reps concluded the kids were in no danger.

As for Brooke, we've learned she wants to come back to L.A. with the kids and resume cohabiting with Charlie. As we first reported, lawyers for both Brooke and Charlie are trying to get the protective order modified so Brooke and Charlie can resume living together.

We're told the only real stumbling block is who will monitor the conflicted couple. We're told the prosecutor wants a public agency in Aspen to make sure Brooke is safe, but Brooke is concerned that info about her attempt to repair the relationship might leak.

There are private agencies that provide monitoring services. The decision on who monitors Charlie and Brooke is the only potential point of conflict in modifying the protective order -- that is, unless the judge has his own issues.

Rush Limbaugh held a press conference Friday afternoon to tell the world he's just fine -- but we're told Rush is playing it safe anyway.

Sources tell TMZ that Rush has returned to his room at the Kahala Hotel and Resort -- the same place he experienced chest pains on Wednesday. But, we're told, Rush has asked hotel security to remain stationed outside his room 24/7 ... just in case something happens.

Rush went out of his way to praise hotel staff for taking care of him during his health scare.

Courtney Love does not deserve credit where credit is due, at least according to legal docs she just filed in a massive case involving American Express.

The credit card company has sued Courtney, claiming she owes $352,059.67 in unpaid charges.

But in the new countersuit, Courtney claims AmEx is guilty of sloppy business practices by issuing a "massive" number of cards in her name without her knowledge or consent.

One of Courtney's lawyers previously told TMZ AmEx issued 104 credit cards in Courtney's name and Courtney didn't make a single one of the charges in question.

Courtney claims she should have a zero balance.

She's suing AmEx for unspecified damages, as well as interest. Even if she wins, she won't get 18%.

We're told the weaved wonder -- who has been spotted several times last week at the swanky Mondrian Hotel -- has been taking full advantage of the place's gym during her stay ... and we're told she's not slacking.

A spy tells TMZ she's been training hard -- for what, we're not sure -- and each time she shows up to the gym, she's in full makeup.

Britney's workout plan: No cake, just caked.

Law enforcement sources tell us both Sheen and Mueller are fine with certain parts of the existing order -- specifically, that Charlie not be in possession of a gun or other weapon, that he refrain from drinking or using drugs, and that he not harass or annoy Mueller any possible witnesses in the case.

We're told they are now asking the judge to merely lift the portion of the order prohibiting them from having any contact or cohabiting with each other. They also agree that a "safety plan" be put in place for Mueller's protection.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the prosecutor will neither support nor oppose the more limited motion by Mueller and Sheen.

But, we've learned, swift justice is not forthcoming. We're told the hearing on the motion -- set for Monday -- has been postponed, and it's likely the motion now will not be hearing until January 11.

Stay tuned

An obsessed fan of Audrina Patridge received the best gift of all this holiday season ... community service (his other options were a lot worse).

Zachary Loring was sentenced to 30 days community service after pleading guilty to one count of vandalism for defacing an electrical box in Los Angeles. He was also charged with carrying a switchblade, but that count was dropped as part of the plea deal.

The court case is not connected to another legal problem facing Loring -- allegedly harassing Audrina. She obtained a restraining order against him after he allegedly showed up to her house and sent her creepy letters and drawings.

Loring was placed on 36 months probation and can't possess deadly weapons, aerosol paint containers, felt tip markers or indelible ink markers. He can carry a pencil.

TMZ has learned Elton spent $12,000 at the Ralph Lauren store in BH -- picking up linen pants in yellow, green, white and navy. We're also told John bought several "bright colored knit shirts in a variety of colors."

Several fans approached Elton while he was inside -- and he happily took photos. But we're told security had to usher the singer back to his car when the fans became a little overwhelming.

Olsen -- who gained fame as a member of the Los Angeles Rams and went on to be a sportscaster, actor and spokesperson for FTD Florists -- was diagnosed with the rare asbestos cancer mesothelioma a few months ago.

filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Olsen worked after school doing manual labor when he was 10 or 11 and was exposed to asbestos.

Olsen claims he was exposed to asbestos later in life when he was doing drywall. Olsen also worked at NBC and 20th Century FOX and is alleging those companies negligently exposed him to asbestos.

Olsen, who is undergoing chemotherapy, claims in the suit that all of the defendants, "were engaged in the business of manufacturing, fabricating, designing, assembling, distributing, leasing, buying, selling, inspecting, servicing, installing, repairing, marketing, warranting and advertising a certain substance the generic name of which is asbestos."

Olsen says in the lawsuit that mesothelioma "is a vicious, painful, and invariably fatal malignancy" and there is no known cure.

Jennifer Lewis, a former Guest Relations Coordinator for the Playboy Mansion, claims she was fired after she turned 47 and replaced by a 33-year-old woman. The suit claims Lewis, who is suing Hef as well as other Playboy big wigs, gave the defendants "over ten of the best years of her life."

Lewis claims beginning last year, she was singled out and subjected to a hostile work environment. Lewis claims it got so bad she was placed on anti-depressants.

In the lawsuit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Lewis is asking for unspecified damages.

No immediate comment from Playboy.

Rachel Uchitel may be spending her New Year's Eve with a bunch of people who enjoy hitting balls with sticks ... but fortunately for Elin Nordegren, we're told Tiger Woods isn't one them.

TMZ has learned Uchitel has her choice of end-of-the-year shindigs to attend tonight ... including a private party in Wellington, Florida which is being thrown by a group of polo players.

We're told Uchitel will either party with the polo crew or just go to the movies -- but she's not married to either option quite yet.

Joe's lawyer, Brian Oxman, sent 2 subpoenas to the UCLA Medical Center -- the hospital where Michael Jackson was pronounced dead on June 25. Oxman is asking for a number of documents, including medical records, autopsy reports, autopsy photos, medications and prognosis assessments.

Joe Jackson tells TMZ his entire family is behind the subpoenas -- Katherine, the brothers and sisters, along with him. He says they all believe the medical records will show what was in Jackson's body when he passed and they believe the information will expose foul play.

We've obtained a letter sent to Oxman by estate lawyer Howard Weitzman, in which Weitzman calls the subpoenas "clearly improper." Weitzman claims the subpoenas violate Jackson's right of privacy and the physician/patient privilege. Weitzman also says the subpoenas are irrelevant to Joe Jackson's only legal claim -- a financial allowance.