Celebrity Justice
Anna's Lawyers Want Estate to Pay Up

A powerhouse law firm that also represents Britney Spears is seeking nearly $163,000 from Anna Nicole Smith's estate for legal services.
Read the lawsuit
In court documents obtained by TMZ, the firm of Trope and Trope says they provided services to the former Playmate beginning in October of 2006 -- to the tune of $281,000, and only $118,000 has been paid.

A copy of the document has also been sent to the executor of Anna's will, Howard K. Stern.

Reader Comments

(Page 13 of 15) Previous 15 Comments | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

181. 179. I'm not exactly sure who would be responsible for these bills but my initial thought would be that Howard would be left with them. If that is the case he is going to be in a great deal of trouble unless he can negotiate by citing his probable future victory or settlement in his action against Rita Cosby. Because by all of his accounts he's almost totally broke, and if I were him I wouldn't be looking for any money to come from his and Larry's effort to claim any portion of the Marshall estate.

Posted at 11:06AM on Nov 12th 2007 by agent zero

________________________________________________________

Howard has a 6% claim against the any money received by Anna's estate in the Marshall case. Personally, I think that number is low for a contingency case, which usually takes a third or more, but that's the amount he allegedly is claiming in public. I suppose that he may be only referring to the work he's personally done as there have been other attorneys working on and presenting the case. I would expect they also have liens. For instance, it does not appear that Stern was a member of the firm that handled the Supreme Court appeal. The case was presented by an appellate attorney, not Stern, based on what I can find on the internet.

This bill seems to be for work done in regard to the paternity fight and not Anna's business. Therefore, I do not believe that Stern has any legal tie making him responsible for the debt.

Posted at 2:33PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Huh?

182. Howard refers to "his firm" in his LKL interview. What firm? Does he belong to a firm we don't know about? Just who is a member of this "firm" and why would they agree to take a contingency case for such a small percentage?

http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah7168.shtml

Posted at 2:44PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Huh?

183. Observer,

You're full of crap so shut up your "holier than thou attitude". God doesn't need your help in passing judgement. All the years you were stripping in that bar Virgie was working a reputable job to support her family.
GO BACK IN THAT HOLE YOU CREEP & SHUT YOUR LYING MOUTH UP.

Posted at 2:49PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Observer is full of crap

184. I'm not a fan of plastic flowers on gravesites but I understand why some use them. They aren't "allowed" where my family is buried but you still see them and other gaudy tributes, especially in the newer areas. I wonder if there are many other graves in the same cemetary in the Bahamas which have plastic flowers.

It is insensitive to those not connected to this story to tell them their "flowers" are not a good enough tribute to their loved ones because they have chosen to lay fake flowers. The point is, they are visiting the grave of their loved one and showing their love. THAT'S what the focus should be.

I stopped leaving cut flowers long ago. I now leave small potted plants, which are often left on the grave after the gardeners come through once a week.

Perhaps Vergie was leaving what was customary in this particular cemetary and knew that they would not be thrown away by the caretakers, unlike real flowers. In the heat of the Bahamas, I doubt the real flowers would last more than two of three days.

Posted at 3:02PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Huh?

185. Bella-

Alas, it is you that needs to learn to read. After my first paragraph, I am no longer referring to only your comments and I am clearly stating this in the second paragraph.

It is you that needs to go back to school to learn writing skills. I have tried to read your entire post aimed at me but your lack of structure and rantings make it difficult to follow your train of thought. Breaking your comments into paragraphs, instead of one big block of thoughts, would help in getting your points across.

However, since you appear to be somehow emotionally invested with Stern, giving emotional comments, I doubt I will be interested in your "contributions". I cannot, for the life of me, understand how you can side so completely with Stern. This is a man who attempted to use the law to take another man's baby! That alone is enough for me to question Stern's integrity.

Just for the record, I will not be reading or replying to your comments in the future.

Posted at 3:36PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Get some perspective!

186. Looks like Howard gave Larry Sue more bad legal advice when he told him to claim "Pro Bono" for Deb O's legal bills... Now Anna Nicole's estate is on the hook for Howard's legal bills when he claimed falsely he was the baby's father. These are Howard's bills!!!!

Dannilynn will have to pay Trope & Trope and Ron Rale big attorney fees for Howard claiming to be the baby's father. Poor Dannilynn... Larry Sue has to bend over for Howard once again.... Good job Howard and Ron Rale! Larry Sue really is the biggest dumbass in all of this! I hope the California Bar is investigating all of this! Howard really has many conflicts of interest and he should be very aware the IRS will be investigating Larry Sue and his actions! How much is in Dannilynn's trust account now Larry you idiot! between Howard and your fancy nights out at Mr. Chows Dannilynn is bankrupt even before she can walk...

Posted at 5:34PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Larry Sue has to bend over for Howard once again!!!

187. Just reading post by "Just Wondering:

116. This bill covers work done in LA and various other places (Bahamas?) from October 2006 to March 2007. Just how did Anna authorize work to continue, in her name, after she died? (Trope & Trope Bill)

Posted at 3:38PM on Nov 10th 2007 by Just wondering...

My hope/analysis is when or if HKS is in some way discredited for not acting in ANS' best interests, then the T&T bill will be re-directed to Stern, rather than ANS' estate.

Posted at 6:13PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Blue Mountain

188. Trope & Trope bills submitted for representing client in paternity case: They lost the case. Ironically, since the estate is now in the hands, so to speak, of the real father and ANS' daughter, they or one of the can sue the estate's lawyer, HKS for a return of the funds used to employ T&T. Ironic, isn't it.

Question is: will LB ethically represent himself and his daughter and the estate of his daughter by sueing HKS AND RR for a return of those monies paid out of the estate to T&T for RR and HKS' legal battle against LB and ultimately his daughter?

So ironic!

Posted at 6:25PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Blue Mountain

189. Further on the issue of the monies to be paid to T&T from the estate - brings up the reason that Dannielynn needs to still have and have a guardian ad-litem appointed form her.

Posted at 6:26PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Blue Mountain

190. Just an opinion: I believe HKS is going to claim "I was acting on the directions of my attorney (Ron Rale) and my attorney's firm (Trope & Trope) as to all legal decisions during the past 1 and a half years (or more). That excuses him from culpability. Oh, oh, Ron... better watch out! Same to T&T! Howie's not as dumb as you thought he was!

Posted at 6:34PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Blue Mountain

191. Great News on Art Harris!

I can’t wait until Rita’s lawyers depose Howard! The truth will come out about the 8,000 pills in Howards name, his actions on the day of Anna’s death, and the clown video where the little girl was heard telling Howard to stop filming and take Anna to the Hospital… “This is Serious Howard!” Howard just said the video was worth money for Anna as she was acting out the drugged out character in her movie… just acting!

Anna screaming that Howard was the one that killed Daniel in the Hospital… all this can be clarified by Howard… He is a good man. He never took money for Anna’s funeral… If he did it would be in Dannielynns trust fund for sure!

Howard can also explain why Mr. Controversay had a video tape interview of the Nannies saying they did in fact see the gay tape of Howard and Larry having Gay sex! The men in the video just resembled Larry and Howard! The nannies were just joking… lol Haitians are very funny people that like to do practical jokes!

Go Howard! Go Lin Wood! Go Larry!

I think it’s great that Lin Wood and John Nazarian are working pro boner for Larry and Howard!

Posted at 7:43PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Lin Wood and Trope & Trope are "Pro Boner"

192. Why should Trope & Trope be paid anything by Anna Nicoles estate and ultimately Dannielynn? They lost the case to Debra Opri? I thought Howard said Trope & Trope were "Pro Boner?"

They are the biggest losers ever! Look how well they are doing for Britney Spears! LOL

Trope & Trope are shameful... look who they employ? Rubberhead Ron Rale and a murderer! LOL What a bunch of gay losers! Now I wonder about this Lin Wood... I think he is in bed with grifters and con men! Poor Dannilynn!

Posted at 7:50PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Trope & Trope lost the case!!!

193. Thanks to Howard and Rubberhead Ron Rale:

Larry Sue can now sue himself , Dannielynn and the estate of Anna Nicole Smith for his legal fees with Deb Opry... Ironic isn't it?

And to think all of this drama was caused by one man. Howard K. Stern

Posted at 12:59PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Ironic!

194. 1- If Virgie left plastic flowers, which last longer anyway. so what?

2- STERN KILLED ANNA AND DANIEL. !!

WHICH ONE IS WORST????

forget about plastic or fresh flowers, who cares!!

*** LET DANIEL'S INQUEST START SOON !! *****

Posted at 3:39PM on Nov 15th 2007 by JUSTICE FOR DANIEL AND ANNA.......

195. Tweety-How are you check us out on topix.

Posted at 9:34PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Faye

Previous 15 Comments | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments