A judge on Tuesday named Anna Nicole Smith's 18-month-old daughter Dannielynn the sole heir of the former Playboy Playmate's estate, according to U.S. media reports Wednesday. Her father, Larry Birkhead, and Smith's executor, Howard K. Stern, will be co-trustees. (Photo: chinadaily.com.cn, File Photo)

A judge on Tuesday named Anna Nicole Smith's 18-month-old daughter Dannielynn the sole heir of the former Playboy Playmate's estate, according to U.S. media reports Wednesday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff also ruled that a trust should be established for Dannielynn. Her father, Larry Birkhead, and Smith's executor, Howard K. Stern, will be co-trustees.     

"We and Mr. Stern always believed that Anna Nicole never intended to disinherit her daughter," said Stern's attorney, Bruce S. Ross.

"I'm pleased to say this chapter in the saga is closed." Ross said after Tuesday's hearing.

Stern filed papers in Supreme Court in October 2007 seeking to clarify Smith's intentions in the will that she drafted five years before Dannielynn was born, since Smith's son, Daniel, had been her heir, according to the will. 

Smith did not change it after her daughter was born. However, Stern's petition said the assets in Daniel's trust should be shared equally if she had future children.