Chief Justice John G. Roberts recently made a ruling in the Supreme Court which finally put an end to the long battle between Anna Nicole Smith and Pierce Marshall over J. Howard Marshall’s will.

The litigation began in 1995 when J. Howard Marshall died and left Anna Nicole Smith nothing in his will. Smith sued Marshall’s son, Pierce Marshall, in a Texas probate court claiming that he cheated her out of $300 million. The court ruled against Smith and left all of J. Howard Marshall’s assets to his son. Later, Smith again sued Pierce Marshall in a California bankruptcy court. This time, the court ruled in Smith’s favor and awarded $400 million.

Now, the Supreme Court ruled that the California bankruptcy court did not have jurisdiction in this matter and that the Texas probate court’s decision would be upheld. Chief Justice Roberts expressed pity for the situation, as this probate battle outlived the people who were involved in it.

If you or someone you love is involved in a battle over probate litigation, please contact the Conroe probate lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 800-242-2151.