Former soap opera star Brenda Dickson's real-life drama likely will resume at the courthouse today, except her lawyer doesn't expect she'll be here.

Dickson, 58, spent 16 days at O'ahu Community Correctional Center for failing to obey a judge's order to leave a Los Angeles apartment so it could be sold and the proceeds divided with her ex-husband, Honolulu lawyer Jan Weinberg.

She was released Feb. 22 after she promised the judge that she would comply with the order.

Dickson is supposed to appear today to show that she complied.

But her attorney Cheryl Brawley yesterday said it appears that Dickson is still living in the apartment, and it doesn't appear she'll be in court today.

"I think she's looking at additional jail time (if she appears in court)," Brawley said

The attorney said Dickson wants her to read a statement to the judge basically saying she has been deprived of "due process."

Dickson has maintained that the apartment belongs to her.

Charles Kleintop, Weinberg's lawyer, said part-time Family Court District Judge Darryl Choy told Dickson at the Feb. 22 hearing that if she didn't show up today, he would consider issuing another bench warrant for her arrest.

"I'm sure I won't have to ask for it," Kleintop said.

Other issues at the hearing may include a request by Brawley challenging the validity of the earlier contempt ruling, including the judge's order that Dickson must pay Weinberg $1,000 for each day she doesn't leave the apartment.

In addition, Kleintop is asking Choy to authorize Weinberg to take control of the apartment and have it sold.

Dickson played Jill Abbott on "The Young and the Restless" series in the 1970s and 1980s, winning the People's Choice award as best villainess for her role.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.