The ex-wife of a Berry Creek man who died earlier this year is suing his estate over support and car payments.
The civil case seeks to enforce an earlier judgment, court records indicate. Grace King is seeking $29,000 as well as her court costs from Angella Marie Wentz, William Chrisman's daughter and the representative of his estate.
King and Chrisman had been divorced since November 2011. Chrisman was ordered to pay support to King and return a vehicle registered under her name.
But Chrisman was involved in an accident that totaled the car. He had no automobile insurance at the time and was unable make complete payments to King. Instead, he bought a new vehicle for her as compensation, the suit claims.
But Chrisman was involved in an accident that totaled the car. He had no automobile insurance at the time and was unable make complete payments to King. Instead, he bought a new vehicle for her as compensation, the suit claims.
The $29,000 requested from Chrisman’s estate is the amount of underpaid support as well as the unpaid payments on the vehicle given to King from the time of the divorce until Chrisman’s death.
Chrisman was found dead Jan. 4 on Black Bear Road in Berry Creek, the same road he lived on. His death has been ruled as a homicide due to evidence found at the scene and suspicious circumstances. The investigation is still ongoing, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s office.
--Olyvia Simpson