HENSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Judge David Wolf found that Isabella Langford is the sole heir to the estate of Joseph Richard Privet and directed the court clerk to enter appropriate orders so settlement funds from a wrongful-death action can be disbursed. The ruling occurred during a specially set hearing called before the criminal docket.
The court record shows that Privet died in an automobile accident while being transported from the jail. A wrongful-death suit was filed and settled, and Langford — identified in court as the administrator of the estate — asked to be sworn so the record could establish her status. An attorney for the petitioner explained the settlement and said Langford is the estate’s administrator.
Judge David Wolf said the proof on the record established that Langford is the sole heir and that no other heirs are entitled to proceeds from the wrongful-death action. He directed that she be sworn, ordered necessary default paperwork submitted, and accepted an order submitted by counsel regarding attorney fees and other administrative matters. The court also referenced a filing to determine heirs and an unresolved child-support file that had been traced to a Canon County case; the prosecutor reported that the decedent had surrendered parental rights there.
The hearing included routine administrative steps: swearing the administrator, confirming birth records, and entering a court order to effect distributions. No appeal or further litigation status was noted during the hearing.
Court attendees who spoke on the record included Isabella Langford (administrator/heir), the presenting attorney (unnamed in the transcript), and Judge David Wolf. The transcript shows counsel saying settlement funds exist and requesting the hearing to determine heirs so distributions can proceed.