Supreme Court Says...Anna Nicole Smith gets another Shot at Hubby's Estate

Category: Probate and Estate Administration

I have previously written about the probate issues being raised by the unlikely source of the notorious Anna Nicole Smith, which the White House backed at the Supreme Court level (see Marshall v. Marshall - Or, Anna Nicole Smith Goes to Washington for the legal issues at bar) Today, a unanimous Court finds in favor of the blonde.

From Yahoo News: Supreme Court Backs Ex-Playmate's Effort:

"The Supreme Court ruled Monday that one-time stripper and Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith could pursue part of her late husband's oil fortune.

Justices gave new legal impetus to Smith's bid to collect millions of dollars from the estate of J. Howard Marshall II. Her late husband's estate has been estimated at as much as $1.6 billion.

Smith has been embroiled in a long running cross-country court fight with Marshall's youngest son, E. Pierce Marshall. The court's decision, which was unanimous, means that it will not end anytime soon.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, writing for the court, said Smith should have a fresh chance to pursue claims in federal court. "

"At issue in the legal battle was competing court jurisdiction. A Texas court held a five-month trial before deciding that Smith was entitled to nothing from Marshall's estate. Smith brought a separate claim in federal court in California."

Justices said Monday that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was wrong in ruling that federal courts could not handle Smith's case. "