From rxpgnews.com
What next in the Anna Nicole saga?
By Sheeraz Hasan, IANS,
Apr 14, 2007 - 7:00:46 PM
Los Angeles, April 14 - Even though Tuesday's DNA test results proved conclusively that Larry Birkhead is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn, the trials and tribulations of this paternity drama are far from over.
Now comes the question of custody. Birkhead has yet to be granted custody of Dannielynn, and Virgie Arthur, Smith's mother, has publicly stated that she wants to be an active part of the little girl's life, reports www.Hollywood.tv.
The final decision as to who will get custody of Dannielynn will be taken by the court. Emrick Knowles, Birkhead's attorney, told reporters after the Tuesday announcement of the DNA results that no ruling has yet been made regarding custody, but the issue is to be addressed in court later.
At that time, Birkhead's fitness as a father will be scrutinised by the court. In the Bahamas, 'even though someone is the biological father, that doesn't mean he gets custody', a source said.
The following day, while making an appearance on the 'Today Show', Birkhead said he does not want to face another legal showdown. 'We might go from one fight to another, but I'm hoping that's not the case because, you know, there's only one dad, and I have no problem with anyone that has good intentions being allowed to visit the baby and see the baby and be a part of the baby's life,' he said.
Nor does he plan to share legal custody of Dannielynn. 'It would imply that I'm unfit as a parent, which I'm not,' he said. 'I'm looking forward to giving Dannielynn everything that she needs and all the love and support.'
Meanwhile, Birkhead has not only bought baby clothes and has got his one-bedroom townhouse in Los Angeles ready for Dannielynn, but he has solicited help with the child rearing from his sister. He is also said to be considering leaving Los Angeles and relocating himself and Dannielynn to his home state of Kentucky.
'He doesn't want the child in all the glamour and glitz. He wants the child to have a good upbringing,' his friend Ford Shelley said. Howard K. Stern, Smith's lawyer and companion who was originally on the baby's birth certificate as the father, has vowed he will not stand in Birkhead's way on the issue of custody.
Finally, if Birkhead does gain custody, the question remains if Birkhead as the child's biological father has any legal standing over Smith's share of the estimated $1.6 billion estate left by her second husband, Texas oilman J. Howard Marshall II.
Whatever Birkhead's standing as the father of Anna's surviving child and Stern's as the executor of Smith's will, which has yet to be filed, the Marshall family have vowed to vigorously fight any claims on the estate.
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