A Dalton Gardens woman is seeking money from the representative of her late husband's estate for the physical and emotional trauma she suffered at his hands just before his death.

Sondra G. Zehm, 54, filed a complaint for damages and a demand for jury trial late last week through her Coeur d'Alene attorney, Rick Baughman, according to documents filed in 1st District Court. Baughman didn't return a call seeking comment about the complaint.

Zehm's husband, Daniel J. Zehm, 52, was facing a charge of battery with the intent to commit a serious felony when he committed suicide on Dec. 31.

That charge was filed after he dumped two gallons of gasoline on his wife's head and tried to light her on fire on Nov. 20 at their Dalton Gardens home on the 6100 block of North 15th Street.

He posted the required $200,000 bail and was released from Kootenai County jail just days after the gasoline incident. After his release, he went to live with a family member.

Sondra Zehm filed for divorce in early December, citing "extreme cruelty."

On New Year's Eve, ignoring a no-contact order, Zehm used pepper spray and a gun to kidnap his wife at the Dalton Gardens home.

He forced her into a van and took her on a multiple-hour drive around Kootenai County, pleading with her along the way to drop the felony charges against him.

At one point as the van had slowed down on an icy road, she managed to jump out uninjured and escaped.

Daniel Zehm drove to Coeur d'Alene, then stopped suddenly on Sherman Avenue and shot himself in the head inside the van.

Shortly before his death, he had executed a will, giving his property to Michael R. Hill, a nephew. Hill remains the personal representative of Zehm's estate. The divorce with Zehm's wife was not finalized.

His family, including his wife, believe he wasn't in an appropriate mental state when he executed the will.

Last month, Hill filed a complaint in District Court saying Sondra Zehm has been living in the home on 15th Street without his permission, according to court documents.

Hill's complaint said her use of the home amounts to trespassing. It said she was given an opportunity to lease the home for $1,800 per month, but refused.

The attorney representing Sondra Zehm in that case, Pamela B. Massey, of Coeur d'Alene, couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Daniel Zehm's brother, James Zehm, of Emmett, Idaho, said in court documents that Daniel Zehm was given the home by their mother, 82-year-old Dorothy L. Zehm, in 2010.

James Zehm, through his attorney's filings, said Dorothy Zehm, who lives in an assisted-living home, is not mentally capable of handling her financial affairs. Through the court, James Zehm is seeking to become conservator to protect her assets, including those now in Hill's possession.

In her will in 2010, she ordered that Daniel Zehm be given all her property and assets, court documents said.