Life Insurer Pays Benefits Twice After Relying on 'Woefully Inadequate' Order of Guardianship

ERIK HOOD v. CASEY JENKINS, ET. AL.
Court: TN Court of Appeals

Attorneys:

Michael S. Kelley, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Old Line Life Insurance Company of America.

Bruce T. Hill, Sevierville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Erik Hood.

Judge: MCCLARTY

This appeal involves a claim for breach of a life insurance contract issued by Old Line. Father named his son, a minor, as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy. When Father died, the proceeds of the policy were issued to minor’s older sister, who depleted the funds. Beneficiary filed suit against Sister and Old Line, alleging that Sister misappropriated the life insurance proceeds and that Old Line erroneously awarded the proceeds to Sister without proper documentation. A default judgment was entered against Sister. Following a trial on Beneficiary’s claim against Old Line, the court ordered Old Line to re-issue a portion of the proceeds to Beneficiary. Old Line appeals. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

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