The attorney who represented Anna Nicole Smith's infant daughter in the dispute over the starlet's body is seeking nearly $US200,000 ($A222,000) for his work.
The amount would exhaust nearly the entirety of an estimated $US200,000 remaining in a trust for the girl, though she could eventually inherit millions more, said lawyers for her father, Larry Birkhead, and Smith's longtime companion, Howard K Stern.
"It is unconscionable for a trust established for a baby to be billed at a large-firm hourly rate," their lawyers wrote.
Lawyers for the girl's father, Larry Birkhead, and Smith's longtime companion, Howard K. Stern, say Milstein's bill would exhaust nearly the entirety of an estimated $200,000 remaining in a trust for Dannielynn, though she could eventually inherit millions more.
The bill includes $94,572.50 for work by Milstein billed at $475 hourly and $97,224.50 for work by other attorneys and paralegals in his firm, whose rates ranged from $155 to $495 hourly.
"This representation required the guardian ad litem to devote significantly all of his professional and personal time and attention to the interests of Dannielynn for a period in excess of two weeks," Milstein argued in his petition.
Nicole Smith, a former Playboy model who died on February 8 in a Hollywood hotel, was the widow of Texas oil tycoon J Howard Marshall II. She had been fighting Marshall's family for years over his estimated $US500 million ($A554 million) fortune, which could eventually go to the girl, Dannielynn Hope Marshall Birkhead.
Richard Milstein, who served as the girl's court-appointed guardian ad litem, has filed court papers seeking $US198,493.98 ($A220,000).
Milstein did not return a phone call today seeking additional comment.
Birkhead and Stern objected to Milstein's high rate and his use of other legal professionals without the specific authorization of the court.their lawyers wrote "It is unconscionable for a trust established for a baby to be billed at a large firm hourly rate," .
The lawyers also said the Playboy model's estranged mother, Virgie Arthur, should pay at least part of the bill, which the mother's attorney, Stephen Tunstall, called ridiculous.
The matter is scheduled for a hearing Nov. 8, but attorneys for the three other parties present for the extended dispute over where to bury Smith have already opposed.
The lawyers for Birkhead and Stern also said Smith's estranged mother, Virgie Arthur, should pay at least part of the bill, which the mother's lawyer, Stephen Tunstall, called ridiculous. Tunstall agreed with them, however, over Milstein's request, saying he "went wild" in generating a legal bill.
Nicole Smith, who died Feb. 8 in a Hollywood hotel, was the widow of Texas oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II. She had been fighting Marshall's family for years over his estimated $500 million fortune, which could eventually go to Dannielynn.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Playboy Model Anna Nicole Smith's Trust is in Big Question? Lawyer seeks nearly $200,000 Payment !!
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