Larry Birkhead with Dannielynn
Anna Nicole Smith's daughter with Larry Birkhead could soon inherit $49 million.
A judge formally put an end to the more than a decade-long inheritance battle on Wednesday (29.05.13) between the late model's estate and family of her wealthy elderly husband, J. Howard Marshall II, who died a year after they married with an estimated net worth of up to $1 billion, but ordered sanctions against the estate of his late son, Pierce, for using delaying tactics in the case that is expected to see Anna's six-year-old daughter Dannielynn secure a multi-million dollar damages payment.
According to Forbes.com, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter said: "Pierce's bad faith conduct was too pervasive and too egregious to be ignored, despite the fact that he has since passed away. It would promote disrespect for the authority of the federal courts to turn a blind eye to actions that so wilfully and blatantly attempted to make a mockery of this justice system. Further, it would reward a party for win-at-all-costs tactics, to the deprivation of his opponent. Such behaviour cannot be condoned."
The judge did not specify the damages but previously estimated in March 2012 they could run up to $49 million.
Anna Nicole died from an accidental prescription drug overdose at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida in February 2007.
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