More than six years after Anna Nicole Smith has passed away, she has finally won the lengthy legal battle against her deceased husband's family. The tragic model's estate will be able to recover hundreds of millions of dollars from the estate of J. Howard Marshall II. Her 6-year-old daughter Dannielynn Birkhead is set to receive around $49 million.

In a California court decision on May 29, Judge David O. Carter of the California district court had put an end to Smith's legal battle against her late husband's son, E. Pierce Marshall, who died of aggressive infection in 2006 at the age of 67.

In the judge's decision, he recognised the deceit made by Pierce and his lawyer, Edwin Hunter, in order to deprive Smith, real name Vickie Lynn Marshall, of her inheritance.

"Here, there is considerable evidence showing the bad faith of Edwin Hunter and Pierce Marshall," Judge Carter wrote in his decision.

"Pierce's bad faith conduct was too pervasive and too egregious to be ignored, despite the fact that he has since passed away. It would promote disrespect for the authority of the federal courts to turn a blind eye to actions that so wilfully and blatantly attempted to make a mockery of this justice system.

"Further, it would reward a party for win-at-all-costs tactics, to the deprivation of his opponent. Such behaviour cannot be condoned."

The judge also ordered Hunter to show cause why he should not be sanctioned.

According to Forbes, Judge Carter didn't specify damages, but suggested in March 2012 that they could run as high as $49 million.

"This is a complete vindication of Anna Nicole's rights and a total condemnation of what was done to her," her estate's lawyer, Phil Boesch, told Forbes. "We are confident that the amount Anna's estate and daughter Dannielynn will finally be awarded will be fair and substantial."

Smith married J. Howard in 1994 when she was 26 and he 89. A little over a year after their marriage, J. Howard died. According to the Playboy model, J. Howard orally promised her half of fortune if she married him. Her late husband's estimated worth is around a billion dollars.

However, Pierce challenged her claim in court. Their legal battle lasted for years, with the case being overturned in different courts as new rulings were issued.

Smith died in 2007 (age 39) as a result of prescription drugs overdose.