LATEST: ANNA NICOLE SMITH's companion and lawyer HOWARD K STERN is adamant she wanted to be buried next to her 20-year-old son DANIEL in the Bahamas.

Daniel died in the Bahamas just days after Smith gave birth to daughter DANNIELYNN in September (06).

Stern and Smith's estranged mother, VIRGIE ARTHUR, argued in a Florida courtroom yesterday (20FEB07), over who should have control of the former model's remains.

Stern explained to JUDGE LARRY SEIDLIN, "Anna and Daniel were inseparable. Daniel was without question the most important person in Anna's life."

According to Stern, at Daniel's funeral, "She said, 'If Daniel has to be buried, I want to be buried with him.'"

Arthur argued that Smith's remains should be brought home to her native Texas, insisting that despite their estrangement, she has the right to bury her daughter.

Judge Seidlin initially suggested to lawyers that he needed to establish baby Dannielynn's paternity in order to determine where Smith should be buried.

However, after a brief private conference with all sides in the case, Seidlin said he would attempt to answer the burial question without knowing who the tot's father is.