ANNA NICOLE SERVED WITH PAPERS ORDERING HER TO SUBMIT BABY TO PATERNITY TEST

Anna Nicole Smith has been ordered to submit her daughter for a paternity test. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Schnider made the ruling on Thursday to determine three-month-old Danni Lynn's father. Photographer Larry Birkhead, who claims he is the father, said: "Christmas has come early, and I thank God that I will soon have the opportunity to prove that I am the father of Danni Lynn and eventually hold her in my arms."I'm one step closer to beginning a relationship with my daughter."Birkhead filed a lawsuit against Smith on October 2, after her partner and lawyer Howard K. Stern announced on TV show 'Larry King Live' that he is Danni Lynn's father. Smith and Stern - who have been living in the Bahamas - returned to the US last week after the former Playboy playmate was forced to attend a hearing about the much-disputed estate of her late husband, billionaire J. Howard Marshall II, in California. As they left the court, Stern was served with papers alleging he lied in statements for the paternity suit filed by Birkhead. Stern has been listed as the father on Danni Lynn's Bahamian birth certificate. It is not known when Smith must comply with the paternity test order. Her lawyer Ron Rale said: "This isn't nearly the end of the story."

Anna Nicole Smith with Larry Birkhead