"Empire" show executives aren't sure they should be paying Terrence Howard.

Despite Howard starring as Lucious Lyon on the wildly popular Fox Network series, TMZ reports network officials are uncertain if his name should remain on the checks they sign over to him based on an ongoing legal dispute with his ex-wife.

According to the website, based on a prior settlement agreement reached between the now bitter exes, Michelle Ghent insists she's entitled to a sizable chunk of his "Empire" salary. Ghent has asked network officials to deduct the amount she's owed and forward it directly to her.  

Meanwhile, Howard, contending that the settlement is invalid, is demanding full payment. Fox has now asked a judge to clear up the matter once and for all, arguing that if they pay one when the other's actually owed, the network could be left on the hook.  

Just this month, the two were back in court, with attorneys for Howard arguing that Ghent once tried to extort money from him by threatening to expose a threesome sex tape.

TMZ reports in the proceedings Howard is attempting to have their divorce settlement thrown out on the grounds he signed the documents under duress. Even though they were only married for a year, Howard points out Ghent was awarded $5,800 per month is support for three years.  

Howard's sister-in-law, Yvonne, testified that Ghent once boasted she "had him [Terrence] by the balls."

"Empire" is slated to return for Season 2 this fall and has already bagged Chris Rock, Marisa Tomei, Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Ludacris, Adam Rodriguez and Lenny Kravitz for special guest stars.

The series also stars Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon, Trai Byers as Andre Lyon, Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon, Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon, Kaitlin Doubleday as Rhonda Lyon and Grace Gealey as Anika Calhoun.