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Nipsey Hussle’s Daughter’s Estate Drama Just Got Juicier—Who’s Really Cashing In on Those Attorney Fees?

Added on April 29, 2025 inCelebrity News Cards

There’s nothing quite like a family feud wrapped in courtroom drama, especially when it involves a celebrated late rapper’s legacy and a custody tug-of-war that refuses to quit. Nipsey Hussle’s daughter, Emani, is at the center of a storm where joint custody between her mother, Tanisha Foster, and the rapper’s family is settled—but the financial sparks? Oh, they’re flying hotter than a Mars-Pluto square! Speaking of which, with Mars stirring up tensions in fiery Aries this week, could the cosmos be nudging this legal battle to its boiling point? It’s as if the stars themselves are whispering, “Hold onto your gavels, folks!”

But here’s the kicker—while Tanisha scored joint physical and legal custody, enter the courtroom gladiators: Emani’s appointed lawyer, William Spiller, is raising a serious eyebrow at another attorney, Larry Lewellyn, who’s hoping to cash in on little Emani’s inheritance to cover legal fees. Spiller’s waving the fairness flag high, arguing that using the child’s estate to pay adversarial counsel just doesn’t add up. And considering Nipsey’s estate is no pocket change—ticking over an eye-popping $11 million, no less—every dime counts, right? Add in the family’s complex guardianship dance, with Nipsey’s relatives stepping down and Tanisha fighting to be the primary parent, and you’ve got a saga that’s anything but over.

So, what twists await this stellar custody and legacy showdown? Will the stars align in favor of peace—or is another charted clash inevitable? Either way, this saga is proving that when family, fortune, and fierce skies collide, the drama is just getting started. LEARN MORE.

The trail of the custody settlement between the rapper’s family and his child, Emani’s mother, is not cold yet; nevertheless, they are neck-deep in a financial tussle concerning his daughter’s estate.

Nipsey Hussle’s daughter’s mother, Tanisha Foster, who had been at odds with the rapper’s family, successfully secured joint physical and legal custody of her child.

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Nipsey Hussle’s Daughter’s Lawyer Kicked Against Attorney’s Settlement From Her Treasury

Nipsey Hussle and his daughter at Grammy Awards 2019
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Discussions surrounding the inheritance of Nipsey’s daughter, Emani, have gained attention in court, particularly following the award of joint custody to her mother.

A court-appointed lawyer for Emani, William Spiller, raised objections to another attorney, Larry Lewellyn, receiving payment from Emani’s estate.

Lewellyn represents Tanisha, but Spiller contended that it would be inappropriate for Emani’s inheritance to be used to cover the legal fees for someone who has been in an adversarial position throughout the case.

Spiller emphasized that utilizing Emani’s estate to pay for the fees of Tanisha and her counsel would be neither fair nor equitable. He argued that the funds should not benefit those who were opposed to the minor child, especially considering the estate’s potential size. 

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According to In Touch, Spiller also pointed out that Emani’s inheritance is likely to be used to cover her own legal costs in the future. 

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The Late Rapper’s Kids Are The Only Beneficiaries Of His Eight-Figure Estate

Nipsey tragically passed away on March 31, 2019, leaving behind two children, Emani and Kross, the latter of whom he shared with his girlfriend, Lauren London.

Following his death, it was determined that his children would be the sole beneficiaries of his estimated $11 million estate, which continues to appreciate through various business ventures and royalties.

Concerns about Emani’s living situation led Nipsey’s family, his brother Sam Ashgedom, sister Samantha Ashgedom, and mother Angelique Smith, to seek guardianship of her, which the court ultimately granted.

However, in 2022, Tanisha filed court documents seeking to terminate this guardianship arrangement.

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Nipsey’s Sister And Mother Stepped Down As His Daughter’s Co-Guardians

As shared by The Blast, Tanisha won joint physical and legal custody of Emani in court after reaching an agreement with the late rapper’s family.

Following the lengthy legal dispute, Nipsey’s mother and sister also stepped down as co-guardians, leaving his brother as the sole guardian of Emani from the family.

The court ruled that Emani would spend 60 percent of her time with Tanisha and the remaining time with her uncle, Sam. Both Tanisha and Sam now have equal rights to make decisions that are in Emani’s best interests, and Tanisha will keep her parental rights. 

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The arrangement allows Emani to live with both guardians at their respective homes, ensuring her continued participation in all academic and extracurricular activities. This cooperative agreement was formalized in a joint stipulation filed on March 5, which Sam, Samantha, Angelique, and Tanisha signed.

The Rapper’s Ex-Agreed To Her Daughter’s Guardianship Due To Financial Issues

Lauren London Calls Nipsey Hussle 'Forever More' In Sweet 38th Posthumous Birthday Tribute
Instagram | Lauren London

Tanisha explained in her 2022 petition to terminate her daughter Emani’s guardianship that she initially agreed to the arrangement, believing it to be in Emani’s best interest.

Tanisha also highlighted her financial difficulties and her strong desire to provide Emani with the stable environment she once had as her reason for letting her daughter go.

She later expressed frustration over what she perceived as broken promises from the rapper’s family regarding her relationship with Emani.

Tanisha alleged that Nipsey’s family used their wealth and influence to restrict her visitation rights and financial support, limiting her involvement in Emani’s life.

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Committed to reclaiming her role as Emani’s primary parent, Tanisha noted that her daughter often asks when they can live together. In her petition, she urged the court to terminate the guardianship, asserting that no circumstances in her life should prevent her from being with her daughter.

Nipsey’s Sister Wanted Emani To Grow Up In A Stable Home

The late Nipsey Hussle
CraSH/imageSPACE/MEGA

The guardianship battle for Emani saw intense efforts from Nipsey’s family, particularly his brother and sister. Samantha, Nipsey’s sister, launched the legal process to secure guardianship, driven by her concerns regarding Emani’s mother’s parenting abilities.

In her application, she highlighted her commitment to Emani’s welfare and the necessity of maintaining her connection to Nipsey’s family. 

Despite facing significant opposition from Tanisha, the “Victory Lap” rapper’s family ultimately triumphed in court. In October 2019, a judge granted them legal guardianship of Emani, ensuring that she would grow up in a stable and supportive environment.

What more drama awaits Nipsey Hussle’s family in court? Time will tell!

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