After almost 20 years, the long legal battle between Anna Nicole Smith's estate and her late husband's estate might finally be over after a recent court ruling.
Two decades ago watchers of celebrity estate news were focused on the estates of Anna Nicole Smith and her late husband, J. Howard Marshall II. It was a story that was destined to make headlines.
Smith was a young woman and a former Playboy model. Her husband was a wealthy investor in Koch Industries.
Marshall passed away approximately a year before Smith, and the tabloids could not get enough of the story.
When Smith passed away, her estate began seeking to get a larger share of his estate.
In the end, the case was litigated in three different states and made its way to the United States Supreme Court twice.
According to Forbes, in an article titled "Court Ruling Likely Ends Anna Nicole Smith Estate's Fight For Marshall Family Millions," all that was left to litigate in the case was a $500,000 fine Smith was ordered to pay.
For what?
A judge had ruled her suit to be “frivolous” against Howard's estate.
Nevertheless, that matter was taken up before a Texas appellate court. It recently determined that the fine was improperly made.
Many think this will be the end of the fight.
However, it is possible that the language of the court's ruling left open the door for Smith's estate to continue its challenge of Marshall's estate.
Smith’s estate has not yet announced any plans one way or another.
Reference: Forbes (July 14, 2015) "Court Ruling Likely Ends Anna Nicole Smith Estate's Fight For Marshall Family Millions."
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