Someone else is digging into Lucious Lyon's pockets -- Terrence Howard's real life ex-wife is demanding a chunk of his "Empire" salary.

Michelle Howard is already supposed to get $5,800 per month from Terrence -- but according to new docs ... she stands to benefit greatly from his astronomical success on the FOX show, and here's why.

The deal is Michelle gets 21% of anything Terrence made over $62,500 in the first 3 months of this year. As we previously reported ... Michelle says Terrence pulls in $125k per episode -- and sources tell us 3 episodes were shot this year.

We did the math, and he needs to cut her a check for about $65k. That's just from his "Empire" money. Remember, Terrence has another show -- "Wayward Pines" -- debuting on FOX this year ... so she'll get some chunk of that.

Bottom line -- they had a nasty divorce, but it's safe to say Michelle's now rooting for Terrence.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2015/03/30/terrence-howard-ex-wife-empire-salary-divorce-money-spousal-support/#ixzz3VsqrSNfV