Anatomy of a life insurance interpleader

I represent quite a few clients in life insurance beneficiary interpleader cases. No two cases are the same. In some cases, I represent the designated beneficiaries. Other times I represent the contestant. Sometimes mental capacity and undue influence are primary issues. Other times, there is a dispute stemming from a marriage or claimed community property interests.

But there is a typical flow to at least the procedure of an interpleader case. The insurance company typically starts the process by filing the interpleader lawsuit. Often in federal court in one of the Texas federal districts: Northern, Southern, Eastern, or Western. Sometimes, one of the competing claimants to the policy will file suit first and the insurance company will respond by filing an interpleader.

This video briefly reviews a case I handled recently in the Austin Division of the Western District of Texas. The parties dueled through various motions, took depositions, proposed and opposed experts, and prepared for trial. I represented the designated beneficiaries.

I filed a motion for summary judgment asking the court to dismiss the contest against the beneficiary designation in favor of my clients. Shortly before trial, the federal judge granted the motion and awarded my clients the entire balance of the life insurance proceeds.