A judge in the Bahamas has ordered a DNA test for Anna Nicole Smith's baby daughter to discover the identity of her father.
This move could finally see a breakthrough in the paternity battle for six-month-old Dannielynn.
A number of man have already claimed to be the father, including Smith's partner Howard Stern and her ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead.
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor's husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, is also staking his claim by filing his own legal documents for a DNA test.
The baby could inherit her mother's mass fortune if the legal battle goes in her favour.
Stern, who is named on the baby's birth certificate as her father, has been looking after her in the Nassau home he shared with Smith before she died.
The former Playboy model, 39, was discovered dead in a Florida hotel room in February. Coroners have still not announced the cause of death.
The Bahamian courts have ordered Stern not to leave the country with Dannielynn before a custody ruling.
The order was made by a judge in Nassau, according to Deborah Rose, a lawyer for Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur.
Test may not end Anna custody fight
DNA tests to identify the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby may not resolve legal struggles over custody, a lawyer for the star's former partner said today.
Howard Stern, who has been caring for six-month-old Dannielynn in the Bahamas, was complying with the court ordered tests, but may not relinquish custody even if they prove the father is Anna Nicole's ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead, attorney James Neavitt said.
"Howard is the legal father. If Mr Birkhead's DNA matches, then he can come and say he's the biological father, and then you'll have that court battle," Neavitt said.
Neavitt did open the possibility of a negotiated settlement if the test proves his client isn't the biological father.
He said Stern respects Birkhead and that the pair will likely reach an agreement if the Los Angeles-based photographer is proven to be the father.
"At that point, it will be a whole different scenario, and the two guys will have to work something out," he said by phone from Los Angeles.
"Dannielynn's interests are the most important, and Howard's been protecting her from the start."
A Bahamian judge yesterday granted Birkhead's request for a DNA test on the child.
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