United States First Circuit

In a dispute between a decedent's parents and his wife, with whom decedent was in the midst of divorce proceedings at the time of his suicide, over the proceeds of a group term life insurance policy, a ruling in favor of the parents is affirmed where: 1) the parties, by their acquiescence, gave the district court the same degree of discretion that the insurer/administrator itself would have had in making a benefits determination; and 2) the district court did not exceed such discretion in its determination.

Appellate Information

• Decided 11/20/2006
• Published 11/20/2006

Judges

• SELYA, Circuit Judge., Before SELYA, Circuit Judge, SILER, Senior Circuit Judge, and HOWARD, Circuit Judge.

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Barbara S. Liftman, with whom Law Office of Barbara S. Liftman was on brief, for appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Shaun B. Spencer, with whom Law Office of Shaun Spencer, P.C., Janet Fennell, and Law Office of Neil Davis were on brief, for appellee.