Bindi Irwin gets into some surprising 'DWTS' legal drama.
Bindi Irwin has found herself in a surprising legal snafu.
The 17-year-old Dancing With the Stars contestant's contract for the hit ABC show got denied on Tuesday. ET has obtained court documents which reveal that -- because Bindi's a minor and she wants to keep what she wins -- a Los Angeles County Superior Judge is requiring both her parents to release their rights to her money before she can get paid.
Steve Irwin, of course, died in September 2006 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb.
WATCH: Bindi Irwin Cries During Emotional Tribute To Father Steve on 'DWTS'
DWTS lawyers had submitted the minor's contract to the judge because of Bindi's underage status. Her mother, Terri Irwin, had already signed a form stating she's giving up all rights to any money her daughter will make on the show, but the judge apparently wants the same release from her father.
"Petitioner has failed to show that the minor's father has irrevocably and perpetually released, relinquished and quitclaimed to the minor any interest he may have to the minor's earnings under the contract," court documents read. "Without a showing that the minor is entitled to her earnings under the contract, the court is unable to find that it is in the best interest of the minor to be bound by the terns of the contract."
It's unclear if lawyers can simply submit a death certificate, or if the judge is simply unaware of Steve's death.
Under the contract, Bindi is set to earn a guaranteed $125,000 from the show. Her earnings will then grow depending on how far she makes it into the season before getting eliminated. By making it to weeks three and four of the season, she gets an additional $10,000 per week; $15,000 for week five of the season; $20,000 per week for weeks six and seven of the season; $30,000 per week for weeks eight and nine of the season; and $50,000 per week for weeks 10 and 11 of the season.
Bindi has already made it through week eight of the show, earning her $230,000 so far. If Bindi wins the coveted mirror ball trophy, she'll earn a total of $360,000.
"This is a standard contract for the show," ET's Cameron Mathison, who was a contestant on season 5 of DWTS, shares. "In fact, it's the same deal I got when I was on the show."
Bindi has definitely made her late father's presence felt throughout the season. Last month, she paid tribute to Australia's legendary "Crocodile Hunter" with an emotional dance. "It’s been nine years and I've never really dwelled on that point when he did pass away," she told her partner, Derek Hough, during their week of rehearsals. "I think that I’m ready to kind of tell that story."
"No matter where I go, Dad will always be with me," she added. "I wish that he could fully understand how much he’s done for me and that I miss him."
WATCH: Flashback -- Bindi Irwin Was the Apple of Her Dad's Eye Back in 2002
When ET caught up with Bindi in September, she said that she hoped to make her father proud.
"The meaning of life is unconditional love and I have that with my family," Bindi said. "I hope to be able to make Dad proud, and I'm working to see how far I can take this."
Watch below:
