As I Iook out the window of my office, I can see the Broward County Courthouse. As an estate planning attorney who also practices probate administration, having an office across the street from the courthouse makes attending hearings very convenient. But today, as I look out at the Courthouse I am reminded of what triggered the building’s 15 minutes of international fame, the Anna Nicole Smith Hearings.
Anna Nicole Smith was a train wreck, both in life, and sadly in death. If there ever was a case to come out of South Florida that showed how essential proper estate planning was, it was hers. To briefly refresh your recollection, Anna Nicole Smith (nee’ Vickie Lynn Marshall) died on February 8, 2007 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (now with Blackjack!) in Hollywood, Florida. Her son, Daniel Smith predeceased her by six months. After her death the fight over the disposition of her body occupied a bored nation’s attention.
There are two recent updates in the case.
First, Howard K. Stern, Smith’s attorney, business manager, boyfriend, whatever, and her doctor were arrested on Thursday and charged with conspiring to furnish her with drugs.
Second, the battle over her octogenarian husband, J. Howard Marshall’s estate continues. The main combatants over Marshall’s estate were Smith and Marshall’s son, and they are both dead. On Monday, her estate’s attorney filed a writ with the U.S. Supreme Court asking that they be allowed to start collecting on her $88 million judgment, which is still tied up in litigation.
I just hope Justice Scalia doesn’t cry when issuing his ruling like Judge Seidlin did.