Nipsey Hussle’s daughter Emani’s inheritance has become the center of conversation in court weeks after her mother was awarded joint custody, In Touch can exclusively report.
On April 22, William Spiller, the lawyer who the court appointed lawyer for Emani as part of her guardianship case, objected to another attorney, Larry Lewellyn, being paid attorney fees from the estate of Emani.
Larry represents Emani’s mother Tanisha Foster. William said he does not object to Larry being paid the attorney fees and costs “from any other sources” but does not want the fees paid by Emani’s estate.
“Mr. Lewelyn’s client was in an adversarial position to the minor child throughout the life of the case and should not benefit from nor take advantage of the fact that said minor child’s estate is arguably significantly sizeable.”
William argued that it “is neither fair not equitable to utilize said minor child’s inheritance and/or estate for purposes of paying the person and/or said person’s counsel of record for requesting satisfaction of [Tanisha Foster’s] obligation to her attorneys of record.”
He added, “Further, the minor child’s estate and/or inheritance will likely be utilized to pay her attorneys.”
A judge has yet to rule on the matter.
Nipsey died on March 31, 2019, at the age of 33. He left behind Emani, and a son named Kross, who he had with his girlfriend, Lauren London.
Nipsey’s children are the only beneficiaries of his massive estate. The estate was worth an estimated $11 million and continues to grow with income earned through Nipsey’s various businesses, royalties and residuals.
After his death, Nipsey’s brother, Sam Asghedom, his sister, Samantha Asghedom, and his mother, Angelique Smith, filed to be Emani’s guardians.
They said they had concerns about Emani living with her mother. The court awarded guardianship to Nipsey’s family.
Around 2022, according to The Blast, Tanisha filed court documents demanding the guardianship be terminated.
She argued there was no need for Nipsey’s family to have full control and accused them of breaking promises.
The Blast reported that Tanisha’s lawyer wrote, “Tanisha’s motivation for doing so was in recognition of her own financial limitations; her desire to maintain the standard of living and family contact the minor had experienced with the paternal family prior to her father’s death; and upon the verbal assurances that each of them would act in the best interests of Emani.”
In court filings, obtained by the outlet. Tanisha’s lawyer claimed the late rapper’s family members used “their financial position and influence to disregard their priorities by controlling the desires of Emani and Tanisha by withholding financial assistance and reducing visitation.”
In a declaration, Tanisha told the court she did not believe Emani needed a guardianship. Nipsey’s family objected to the request.
As In Touch first reported, weeks before the parties were scheduled to face off at a trial they hashed out a settlement.
Per the deal, Emani will continue to live part time with her mom part time with Sam. Nipsey’s sister and mother agreed to step down as coguardians of Emani. Sam will be the sole guardian.
Tanisha and Sam were awarded joint legal and physical custody of Emani, with the minor spending 60 percent of the time with her mom.
“Tanisha and [Sam] shall share equal rights to make decisions in Emani’s best interests. Tanisha reserves her parental rights with respect to Emani,” the deal read.
