Judge Orders Sale of Cline Possessions Items Once Owned by Legendary Singer Will Be Auctioned to Cover Estate Debts By: Stephanie M. Mangino The Winchester Star A Winchester Circuit Court judge has authorized the administrator of Hilda Hensley’s estate to sell all of the remaining Patsy Cline items in the estate to cover costs. Hensley, who was the legendary singer’s mother, died in Winchester on Dec. 10, 1998. Her will stated that her possessions should be split equally between her surviving children, Samuel L. Hensley and Sylvia M. Wilt. Cline died in a March 5, 1963, airplane crash near Camden, Tenn. The surviving siblings have battled over pieces of the estate since 2001. Samuel Hensley also filed a lawsuit against his sister, contending that she took and destroyed items from the estate. A jury disagreed, finding in March 2002 that Wilt engaged in no wrongdoing. The following month, Winchester Circuit Court Judge John E. Wetsel Jr. ordered that three of Cline’s clothing items in the estate be auctioned off to pay for estate-related bills. Wetsel’s decision Thursday in the same court was for the same financial reasons. But now, about 140 pieces of clothing and some memorabilia could go on the auction block following the court order granting the motion for aid and direction by estate administrator Charles R. Alton. Alton’s motion, filed Aug. 6, asked for permission to sell any items necessary to cover estate costs. In his motion, he states that the previous sale yielded $9,987.50 in net proceeds, but $18,341.68 remained to be paid in estate bills generated before April 30, 2002. Additionally, Alton states in his motion that he is owed $7,212.50 in fees for administrative duties performed between May 1, 2002, and Aug. 1, 2003. Another $694 in expenses is also noted, and Alton anticipates an additional $17,423 in fees and expenses if the estate remains open through the end of 2004. The grand total for expenses, both current and projected, is $43,671.18, Alton states in his motion. Alton included a list of appraisal values for the Cline items still in Hensley’s estate. The figures are not particularly high, ranging from a $6,000 dress down to $25 for two “orphaned” earrings. All the parties in the estate and lawsuit cases — Alton, Wilt, and Wilt’s attorney, Phillip S. Griffin II; and Samuel Hensley’s attorney, Stephen L. Pettler Jr. — expressed an urge Thursday to keep the estate negotiations from dragging out much longer. Griffin said the siblings have divided some items already, primarily photographs. He argued that a sale of a few items could cover Alton’s costs, lessen the projected expenses, and still allow a split of items between Hensley and Wilt. However, with the money still needed by the estate, Wetsel’s recommendation to sell all of the items if necessary remained firm, even after Wilt asked for 90 more days, during which she could continue investigating the sale of her home to buy some of the items herself. “This is sort of a last-ditch effort,” she said. Thursday’s proceedings were ultimately “the bitter fruit of internecine conflict” that bore not a feast, but “a time of famine and anguish,” Wetsel said. The case has to have been expensive for both sides, considering there was no cash in Hilda Hensley’s estate, Wetsel said. “I say, sell it all (and) wind this case up at the end of the year,” he said. While Samuel Hensley’s lawsuit against his sister still exists with more items still in dispute, Pettler said he expects that litigation will be dropped once the estate is settled. But Wilt said in court that she is not convinced the suit will die with the closure of the estate. Evidence may end up being disposed of through any sales. “I’m sorry this case has come to this, Ms. Wilt,” Wetsel told her as the proceedings came to a close. Alton said following the court appearance that he is still deciding on what auction houses could handle the sales. For Wilt, the ruling caused a few tears as she stood outside the courtroom. “My mother’s wishes mean absolutely nothing,” she said. “The estate is up for grabs.” Of her brother, who did not attend Thursday’s hearing, she said: “He’s cost me my family heritage.”

Originally Published In The Winchester Star On August 22, 2003







WLC © 2005. All Rights Reserved.