Dannielynn $200,000 Legal Bill To Be Cut!
By Art Harris, (c) www.artharris.com, all rights reserved
After months of wrangling, The Bald Truth has learned the court-appointed legal guardian who charged the estate of Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter almost $200,000 to look after Dannileynn’s best interests has agreed to accept a drastic reduction of his bill.
“There’s going to be a significant cut in fees, as there should be,” a source inside the negotiations with Miami lawyer Richard Milstein told me in an exclusive interview. “I’d rather not say how much since we hope it will be finalized in court this week.”
Milstein and lawyers for Larry Birkhead, Dannielynn’s father, and estate executor Howard K. Stern, are scheduled for a “case managment” hearing before Broward County Circuit Judge Mark A. Speiser on Tuesday, April 1, according to documents dannielynn-milstein-casemanagmnt-401-08-c.pdf obtained exclusively by The Bald Truth.
Estate lawyers have been battling Milstein ever since he presented a $198,000 (plus change) in several bills milstein-bill-6-25-07-for-137k.pdf for the almost three weeks it took to bury the late Playboy centerfold in a Bahamas grave next to her son, Daniel, and fend off a costly appeal by Virgie Arthur, who insisted her daughter, and grandson, should be buried in her native Texas. Milstein was appointed Dannilelynn’s guardian ad litum by now retired Judge Larry Seidlin.
By Birkhead’s calculations, Milstein was charging almost $1,000 an hour, which was “outrageous,” one of his attorneys, Nancy Haas, told the Palm Beach Post. Lawyers say it’s customary for court-appointed guardians to bill well below their rack rates when asked to step up for minors in such cases. Milstein’s office has not returned callls for comment, though his public relations firm put out a statement last year that he billed his “standard hourly rates” and expects a court to set the fee he will be paid.
“We expect Dannielynn to have a big chunk of her savings left intact when all is said and done,” a source inside the wrangling tells me who asked to go nameless.
We’re posting examples of several detailed bills Milstein submitted milstein-dannielynn-bill-filed-with-appeal.pdf, along with court papers that only hint at the bitter legal catfight that’s been waged behind the scenes. Birkhead and Stern’s October 2007 objection to the Milstein bill birkhead-stern-defense-objection-to-milstein-fees-10-1-07.pdf also requests Virgie Arthur share in the fees she helped incur with costly legal appeals –that failed — to stop the funeral. Her lawyers have dismissed such a request as ridiculous.
Anna Nicole Smith left behind about $200,000 in savings which went to her sole heir, Dannielynn, after her son, Daniel, died of a drug overdose in the Bahamas. Less liquid assets include an estimated $2 million plus in real estate, jewels, her boat, intellectual property and more, sources tell m, not counting the estimated half billion dollar Marshal estate pie in the sky Dannielynn stands to inherit, pending lawsuits with the estate of her mother’s late Texas tycoon husband.
Media deals have also brought in an undisclosed amount.
Larry Birkhead, no stranger in disputing legal bills he finds unfair, was demanding back up documentation for Milstein’s “exorbitant” Dannielynn bills we’ve obtained exclusively (and also posted at the bottom), according to a motion to strike Milstein’s demand to be paid dannielynn-fla-motion-to-compel-a.pdf unless he coughs up paperwork to support his claims.
So far, though, Milstein “has refused to provide any backup documentation of his almost $200,000 in billing. He refused to provide any specific or detailed time records or time slips, according to a motion Birkhead lawyers filed asking for proof of hours billed that was also obtained by The Bald Truth.
The only billing records Milstein did submit “failed to specify length of time for the specific tasks performed by (the lawyer) and his firm on a particular day. Rather all tasks … are just lumped together with no detail,” says the motion that asks for proof.
According to one court order, Milstein maintained that “no further billing or detail of his time billed exists,” other than what can be shown by court transcripts or televised broadcasts of Anna Nicole Smith’s Bahamas funeral he attended with a member of his firm. That March 22 judge’s order outlines an agreement with Birkhead to drop his demand for backup and offers the first hint a deal is in the works.
Agreement or not, a hearing between the battling parties is scheduled for a full one day hearing on April 8 in Fort Lauderdale.
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STATEMENT FROM RICHARD MILSTEIN REGARDING FEES FILED IN ANNA NICOLE SMITH CASE
MIAMI – October 16, 2007 – “In an effort to clarify some information currently circulating in the media, following is an overview of the current situation. The Order entered by the Court appointing me asguardian ad litem says that the Court will determine a reasonable fee. We submitted our fees for the work we did, based on our standard hourly rates. A hearing will take place in which the Court will then determine the fees to be paid. This is the appropriate process for the determination of fees. Interviews at this time would not seem appropriate. I appreciate your respect and understanding.”
- Richard C. Milstein, Akerman Senterfitt
Charles Jones
Vice President of Client Services
Wragg & Casas Public Relations, Inc.
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dannielynn-milstein-casemanagmnt-401-08-c.pdf
dannielynn-3-22-08-birkhead-wdraws-milst-motion-art-wm.pdf
dannielynn-fla-motion-to-compel-a.pdf
milstein-dannielynn-notice-of-fee-hearing.pdf
milstein-bill-6-25-07-for-137k.pdf
milstein-dannielynn-bill-filed-with-appeal.pdf
birkhead-stern-defense-objection-to-milstein-fees-10-1-07.pdf
March 31st, 2008 at 12:04 am
I haven’t read all of this yet but I will.
Some things should just be handled ‘at cost.’
Of course, then you get into bookkeeping and paying and cost accounting, and tripping over all kinds of ‘red tape.’
Everyone’s trying to ‘make-out.’
Maybe if you jump through enough ‘hoops’ you/they can find a proper tax advantage.
Who cares about profit, LOL??????
March 31st, 2008 at 12:14 am
Thanks Art!
It is only fair that he show an itemized detailed record of everything he did. Then as should be; whatever his hourly rate is… should charge less as Dannielynn is a minor. It does not matter how much money she might have one day.
I do not think it was ridiculous to ask that Virgie compensate for any extra work that Milstein had to do because she filed a bunch of stuff to appeal. Virgie should be responsible for each second of that time, her lawyer pays for everything else. He (O’Quinn) should pay for that time instead of it coming from that innocent baby’s money. In fact it was the Texas lawyers in charge of every action that Virgie ever did, so I take it back about her being responsible for her delays. Virgie and O’Quinn should split those costs down the middle!
March 31st, 2008 at 12:24 am
Who said HKS doesn’t work? Glad to see it gonna be resolve.Dannielynn didn’t have to pay. VA dismiss the case ridiculous? never saw a nice grandmother like VA.She very impress me. Again hope Anna’s wishes will be respect…
March 31st, 2008 at 12:37 am
Art, thanks for allowing us to read these documents. It certainly sounds reasonable to me that the over billing by the attorney was unreasonable, without a doubt. It is also reasonable to me that the person who filed the petitions and delaying tactics should be responsible for those actions. IMO I’m wondering if the courts sanction the attorney in this case? Sure leaves a negative feeling.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:02 am
Would really be I have to say it “the cats meow” if the courts made VA pay her share.She did cause the cost to go way up and she should have to pay part of the bill.The court cases could have ended a lot sooner andcame out the same anyway.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:10 am
I would think he’d be ashamed to show his face in a courtroom. I’m glad he has to face Larry and Howard, but I suppose it won’t phase him. YUCK!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:24 am
He should bill for actual expenses occured and pro bono on hourly fees. He got mega free publicity, and now his greediness in bilking a baby has reversed his own good press. Milstein is a bully and Dannielynn better hold fast to her elmo or that will disapear too.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:29 am
OMG!!! I just read Howard and Larry’s defense objection. I am shocked at what this guy is actually trying to get. Is he high? OHHHH..GRRRR!!! He has no SHAME.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:55 am
Everybody wants money and they don’t care who they get it from. It’s a pretty sad thing in this case. All will work out for Dannielynn, with her little cute self.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:56 am
YEA!!
I am glad these guys are stopping everyone in their tracks from abusing what they think is a ‘rich child’. It is still potential…but very good chance
So much for all the rumors of HKS buying off Milstein!
With no detail billing it should be cut down A LOT!!
March 31st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I am very sorry this had to happen.I am also glad Larry is nobody,s fool..I. am glad I DO NOT LIVE IN CAL,FLORIDA,WHO COULD AFFORD A LAWYER.It seems to me that poor child,is going to have a hard life,if this is going on now.i think larry and howard make a good pair,for the future of dannielynn.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Wonderful to know Seidlin has retired, and can now spend time with his family.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I really hope that in the end O’Quinn and Virgie are severelly punished in any way possible for all the legal problems they have started since DAY ONE this entire mess began.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Hi EJ! Good to see you! Hope you are doing well.
I am so disgusted with just about everyone involved in this case. I know bad people are everywhere but seems like the lowest of the low landed right in the middle of this case. Howard is the only one I have ever had any respect for and now it seems things are beginning to happen in his favor. Larry Birkhead should wake up each morning saying “Howard, thank you for being in my life and having the intellect and decency to take care of me and Dannylynn”. Without Howard I can only imagine what would have happened to Larry and Dannielynn. Howard is an attorney – and a good one. Howard is/was a wonderful person to begin with but respect for attorneys in this case is really hard to come by and now more than ever. I hope this, and the outcome of the inquest in the Bahamas, gives Howard at least a moment of relief.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
*********************************************************************************************************************^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
TOLD YA HOWARDS THE MAN !!!!!!! ANNA WAS NO (FOOL) SHE
KNEW HOWARD CARED ONLY FOR HER BEST INTEREST!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW HE IS LOOKING AFTER HER BABY ‘S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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March 31st, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Milstein should be disbarred for fraud.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Me too Beverly they seem to work good together for DanniLynn
When I firt read about how much this attorney wanted to charge,I thought it was just a bill so the judge could decide what was fair and the higher it was the better so the judge would decide on a just amountnow I don’t think so after reading these filings
March 31st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
My take it VA and her attorney’s created this issue, and they and they alone should pay the entire bill.
Howard nor Larry filed to stop Anna’s burial. VA did. As others have stated, if John has paid her way to date, then he can pay Milstiens bill.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Birkhead and Stern should not have to pay Milstein 1 red cent from Dannielynn’s estate for anything he did. Milstein sounds like a big ripoff,anyway. His fees should be radically reduced and even if Virgie Arthur did cause Milstein to have to do anything, she should not have to pay the full fee, and only the reduced fee. I’m not saying this SOB Virgie deserves any kind of break beause clearly she does not. But, Milstein deserves any kind of break even less then Virgie does.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Mr Millstein needs that money he ran to the bahamas when Anna died he followed her body right to the grave..Larry just work harder and stop pimping your daughter to get money.
Try to find a real job Larry, Dannilynn can’t depend on her mammas future money she can only depend on you. Nice to be a sperm donor right Larry?
April 1st, 2008 at 5:34 am
Can you all even believe he tried to bill Dannielynn for Anhalt (er whatever the hell his name is!) wanting a paternity test? Virgie should have to pay this bill! And Seidlin should have to pay part of it for causing (along with VA) the whole damn mess. He is just a greedy man. Karma baby.
ProtectDannielynn~the hold on to her Elmo thing is super funny!!! LOL!!!
April 1st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Hit Virgie in the “pocketbook” with Mr. Millstein’s
bill,. Her antics in Judge Seidin’s court caused delay
after delay. She needs to pay her dues!
April 1st, 2008 at 8:49 pm
####!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I DON’T KNOW WHY BUT THIS PICTURE REALLY BOTHERS ME………………………… YOUY MAY TAKE A PICTURE OF A BOY LIKE THIS BUT NOT YOUR LITTLE GIRL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I MAY BE WRONG???????
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April 2nd, 2008 at 2:23 am
YUK..glad to know that EX Judge Seidlin won’t be getting his own TV show!..his actions during the hearings were despicable!..which lead to Millstean’s TOTALLY UNECESSARY Guardianship..now like ALL AMERICAN LAWYERS he wants MONEY!!
Note: Several statements here not based in fact, but Jill may want to recall the time Anna spent with Ford and Gina in SC and Fla. when they were in charge of her drugs, and the conflicting statements FS made about his knowledge of what she took for various conditions, including one prescription written in G. Ben Thompson’s name by a Bahamas doc, sources tell me. Not the letter of the law, but commonly done for Anna and other celebs to protect privacy, so will be interesting to see how far Ca. agents take it, if they will be examining the practice and how it applies to other stars and star docs., too.
Law and ethics different in various states, but some experts tell me as long as doc and patient are aware the drugs are intended for the ultimate patient, the pharmacist lets it go. ah
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:46 am
Beloved2 #23, You said “I don’t know why but this picture really bothers me. You may take a picute of a boy like this but not your little girl. I may be wrong”
Beloved, I do not think you are wrong – it bothers me too. A lot about Larry bothers me. Larry needs guidence from someone who has been raised properly. When in doubt he should just ask Howard. Howard would be able to tell him what to do and how to conduct himself. I don’t think he will ever come close to being the man that Howard is but he could learn from Howard how to put Dannielynn FIRST just like Howard did, does and always will for Anna, Daniel and Dannielynn.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Even if the bill wasn’t cut, don’t you think Larry has that kind of money anyway? With all the super exclusive Dannielynn photos he sells to OK! and all those insider stories that he gets ET to cover he definitely has the resources.
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 am
Thanks Art for keeping up with this story and providing the documents. Im interested to see what happens in the HKS case against Rita cosby regarding the Book blond ambition
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Sadly, it seems like EVERYONE–most eggregiously those supposed to be looking after her best interests, ie her father, her lawyer, etc–sees Dannielynn as a money-mkaing machine and nothing else…
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
noodlemonkey I havent seen to much of DannieLynn lately and wish We could see her and how she has grown.Ever think LB has to do this because of all the negativity puy out there by The VA side and her wanting custody,he has to show she is doing ok and he has to have money to fight VA as he has stated. What is the differance weather he puts pictures out for us all to see or someone else does.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Good to know the formality in the Bahamas was or has been done…and like I said before, no one really seems to care.
Wish Larry will become a good knight…you never know, anything’s possible if you have ‘Hope.’
This might be the most beautiful and profound thing I’ve ever said, but doubt it, LOL.
Love Always,
Freida
April 4th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Hmmm…yes, I thought at the beginning that Larry was putting himself and his daughter in front of the paparazzi to counter the negative media. But when he brought Dannielynn to the Bahamas to visit her mother’s grave with a gaggle of invited photogs, it was more than I could stomach. Now I think he’s just a greedy, vile, synchophant.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Vergie is a leech. Anna hated her, she was no kind of mother to Anna when she needed her most, too busy being a “cop”. Ha All she wants is money, she doesn’t give a rats behind about that little girl.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Here we go again! Larry, Larry quite contrary. Was it necessary to make news by purchasing Anna’s lingerie for Danielynn’s future closet memoir? I do not think so!