Back in 2007 Anna Nicole Smith died during the more than decade long drawn out legal battle for millions from the estate of husband, J. Howard Marshall. It is now reported that Smith's daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead could receive as much as $49 million in sanctions.

According to TMZ the Supreme Court ruled years ago that the former playboy model was not entitled to any of Marshall's fortune, which is estimated to be between $500 million and $1 billion.

However, on Wednesday United States District Judge David O. Cater ordered Marshall's estate to "pay sanctions over 'massive discovery abuse' in the Koch Industries heir's scorched-earth legal battle against his stepmother, the late 'Playboy' model Anna Nicole Smith," according to the New York Post.

The judge decided to award the sanctions based on allegations that the attorneys of Marshall's estate concealed important legal documents from Smith's estate lawyers.

The NY Post reported that Marshall's attorneys used "delaying tactics like shipping crucial legal documents to a lawyer in Lake Charles, La. to try and keep them out of the hands of Smith's lawyers."

Oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall married Anna Nicole Smith when he was 89-years old and she was age 26. He then died a year later and left no mention of his widowed wife in his will.

Phil Boesch, a lawyer for Smith's estate told Forbes, "This is a complete vindication of Anna Nicole's rights, and a total condemnation of what was done to her."

"We are confident that the amount Anna's estate and daughter Dannielynn will finally be awarded will be fair and substantial."