Dansey v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

Filing 48

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge James C. Turk on 10/4/12. (jcj)

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clEe s OFFI E U. DI COURT C :. SX A Ro#j E, A T FI oK V LED IN T H E U N I D STA TE S DISTR IC T C O U R T TE FO R TH E W E STER N D ISTR IC T O F V IR G I I N A Charl t vil Di si ot es le vi on D EBR A D AN SEY , 0CT 2i 2 1 22 JULI : A DUDL CL EY ERK BY; CL ERK Ci lA ct on N o.3: cvvi i 11- 00013 Pl nt ai W Count cl mm e nda , er ai fe nt M EM OR ANDUM O PI ON NI V. M ETR O PO L I N L I TA FE I SU R AN CE C O M PA N Y , N De nd ntcr s - a m fe a / o scli Pl nt countr l mant ai W e cai , By:Ja e C .Tur m s k Seni Unied St es D i ri Judge or t at st ct RA ELY N ERD N ER ,STEPH EN ER DN ER ,A ND PEAR L ERD N ER Cr s cai De ndant. os- l m fe s Pe ng bef r t Cour i Pl i if a Co er l m - e e nt D e a D a e s ndi o e he t s a ntf nd unt c ai D f nda br ns y' (t ns y'o d aitf ' Motonf SummayJ dgmen.ECFNo.33.Cr scl m Dee nt t e ' r s nif) i or Da pl r u t os- ai fnda s Ra ynErne,Stphe Er r a Pe r Erne (olci l û fnda s' rs el d r e n dne, nd al d r c le tvey,i e nt' e ponde ( De ) d, ECF No.38) a Da e r ple ECF No.41 Th Cour he r o a agume so t moi on , nd ns y e id. . e t ad r l r nt n he ton Se e be 27,201 a i i now rpe f diposton. r t r a ons s tf t he e n,Pl i if s pt m r 2 nd t s i or s ii Fo he e s e or h r i a ntf ' moin f rs mmmy j d me t( No 3 )i DENI Dee d n ' M oin t Srk ( to o u u g n ECF . 3 s ED. fn a ts t o tie ECF o No. ,t whihPli ifha rs 44) o c antf s e ponde ( No. ,i as DENI d ECF 45) s lo ED. 1 . FA CTU AL BA CK G R O U ND Thi diput a iesfom a lf i ur nc polc wih pr e ofa oxi ael $ 600 s s e rs r ie ns a e i y t oce ds ppr m t y 77, is by M er ian Lie I urnceCompa (d elie' f W ila Er r(d c den sued topolt f ns a ny t tvf' or lim dne d e f), M ) De who di d i 201 D e de ' polc w a pr ded tuoug hi em pl e n 0. ce nt s i y s ovi l h s oyerand i go r d by t s ve ne he Ea l Reie ntI ome Se urt Ac of 1 ($ SA',29 U. C.j 1 c s q.As ry trme nc c iy t 974 $ ER1 ' ) S. 001 / e di c s d he e n,t pr e ha bee de ied i o t r gi ty oft Cour by M e Li e a s us e r i he oc eds ve n pos t nt he e s r he t t f , nd M e Lie ha bee dimis d fom t c s . The r m ani pa tes who a e al r ltve of t f s n s se r he a e e i ng ri , r l ea i s D e ede , s r a c nt di ag ee boutwho i t pr rbe i i r oft e pr e . s he ope nefc a y hos oce ds D e e nt w as t e hus nd of De e n Pe l Er r f t r of D e e c de he x- ba f nda t ar dne , a he f ndant Ra yn s el and St phe Er r a uncl of Pl i if Dans y.Def nt al r s de i N e Y or whe e e n dne , nd e a ntf e enda s l e i n w k, r De e c dentlved a w o ke untl 1 i nd r d i 999,whe he move t Vigi a W hie r sdi i Vigi a, n d o r ni . l e i ng n r ni D e ede s m e i e lve w ih D a ey a a ot rtm es lved i hi ow n a rm e .D e e nt c nt o tm s i d t ns nd t he i i n s pa t nt c de r m a ne i V i gi a untl2008,w he he r t ned t N e Y or a r conc l d wih hi e wi e e i d n r ni i n e ur o w k nd e ie t s x- f and c l e hidr n. On J nua y 29,2003,De e nt Pe lEr r ob aned a di c fom Dec de .The a r f nda ar dne t i vor e r e nt j g n e trdb t Ne Yo k S p e Co r (ri o c De r e' icu e ap r g a hta ud me t n ee y he w r u rme u t t v re c e ' n ld d a a rp h t ) sae :ihePli ifg alEr r wilde i t t pates c lr n asbe iire f one tts t antf pe r dne j l sgnae he ri ' hid e t nefca is or hal of t pr e of t lf i ur nc polc of t D e e nt ac r d by vi t e of hi f he oce ds he ie ns a e i y he f nda , qui e ru s e pl e ...a t D e e nt s lr t i t rghtt na e a be i a y f t ot rone m oym nt nd he f nda hal e a n he i o m nefci r or he he hafoft d t pr e oft sme polc .' ECF No.38,Ex.A.De pie t lnguag l he eah oc eds he a iygl' s t he a e lg alEr ne)wildesgnae, t De e nta rnty wa t onl pe s a et efc t t tpe r d r l i t ' he c de ppae l s he y ron bl o fe t ha ' desgna i s nc t polcy w as hi .I i undi put d t t D e de , a ound t tm e of t i ton, i e he i s ts s e ha ce nt r he i he di c i tal c vor e, nii ly ompled w ih t f r goi pr son by na ng e h ofhi t c l e a i t he o e ng ovii mi ac s wo hidr n s pa ta be fc a i , e ilng e c t t e y- i pe c nt of t pr ee of t po i y.l i ri l ne i i res ntti a h o w nt fve r e he oc ds he lc t s unc e r whe he he m a a s c tc des g t o f t ot r ff y pe ce oft pr ee at la t r de ny pe ii i na i n or he he i t r nt he oc ds t tm e. hat i The prm a y di agr e e i t c e se s f om a ta a t o pur r i t m a i r s e m nt n he as t m r r ns c i n po tng o ke D a e t be i i r of one hundr pe c nt of t polc Tha s e nt ta a ton ns y he nefc a y ed r e he i y. t ubs que r ns c i occ r d o J ur e n une 1 2005, w he a f m w a f l d el c r ni ly w ih M e lie de i tng 0, n or s ie e t o ca l t t af s gna i iy. Pl i ifas t s e be i i r of De e nts M eLie polc l ECF No. 3 Ex.C.Pl n if antf he ol nefc a y c de ' t f 4, aitf alege t t s was pr s nt w he D e ede t m a t c ng vi M e Li e s w e ie wih a l s ha he ee n c n de he ha e a t f ' bst t n el c r c sgna ur a t t he de ie t c nge.D e e e t oni i t e nd ha s r d he ha f ndan s c l nge t va i t of t t hale he ldiy he bene i i y c nge,a l gi t ti w a m a wiho t know l dge orc e ofDec de ,a fc ar ha le ng ha t s de t ut he e ons nt e nt nd t tPl ntf had ac es t t i o m a i n nec s a y t m a t c ha ai if c s o he nf r to e s r o ke he hange.They a s a gue t t lo r ha t c ng c r beefe tve a t t tfype c ntoft pr ee t c l enwe e e il t he ha e amot f c i s o he i t r e he oc ds he hidr r ntted o r e ve a a r s to t D i ce D e r e. ec i s e ul f he vor ce Folow i t de t of D e ede on J y 3,201 Pl i if a t m pt d t c l c on t l ng he a h c nt ul 0, a ntf te e o ole t he polc ast s e bene i ir Afe M e Lie r c ve core ponde e fom De e ntRa l n iy he ol fca y. tr t f e ei d r s nc r f nda ey Er rr ga di t di ce de r ,i i ta l de e one ha fofPli if scai .ECF No.4, dne e r ng he vor c ee t niily nid - l antf l m Ex.1 l is co e - a m fl d i t s l w s t M e lie a s s a e i w a û bl t de e m i . n t unt r cl i ie n hi a ui, t xf l o t t d t s t una e o t r ne w he he t 2005 B e f c a y D e i t o was pr r y e c e ' or w he he D e de t ha t r he ne i i r s gna i n ope l xe ut d' t r ce n d s fc en c pac t t m a t c nge I t r us d t pa a po ton of t pr ce ds t uf i i t a iy o ke he ha . t hus ef e o y ny r i he o e o Plitf, u o c n enta i c udb s be t od u l l b ly. an if o t f o c r h tt o l e u j c t o be i ii a t 1. I PR O CED U R AL H I STO R Y Pl i if tl d t s br c of c r t a ton a i t M e Lie i t Cic t Co t o a ntf i e hi ea h ontac c i ga ns t f n he r ui ur f Fl nnaCount Vigi a.ECFNo.1, A.Purua tt 28U. C.jj1 and1 M elie uva y, r ni Ex. s n o S. 441 446, taf r moved t a ton t t s Cour.ECF N o, 1.M e lie t n tld a ans r a t r pa t e he c i o hi t tvf he ie n we , hid- ry c pl i t a i t Def nda s Ra l a St phe Er ne ,a a co e cl i a i t Pl i if om a n ga ns e nt e yn nd e n d r nd unt r a m ga ns a ntf 1 W ilam E. Da ey and J eph M uchow, Dans s hus nd and br her r pectvel and li ns os ey' ba ot , es i yDecede ' nephews wer na ed ascontngentbenefci i on t s nts e m i i ares he ame f m . or 3 a t i er e d de e nt.Thi Cour gr nt M eLie la t de i t f nd he nt plade f nda s s t a ed t f e ve o post he undswih t t he Courtand dichar M et f f om t case.ECF N os.23,27.The Cour al o per it Pear s ged Lie r he t s m ted l Er n rt itr e ea dj i he c ide a aco scam d fnd n . No. 9. d e o ne v n n on r hl rn s r s-li ee a tECF 1 M e Li e a co por to w ih is p i i l pl ce of busne s i N e Yor p o r y t f, r a i n t t r nc pa a i s n w k, r pe l ivo e ti Co r' dv riyj rs ito ,2 U. C.j 1 3 ,i s p r ofrmo l S e ECF n k d h s u ts ie st u idcin 8 S. 3 2 n up o t e va. e No. 1 a ! 6.The Cour c ude t t i as ha jziditon ove t c tr am a t t oncl s ha t lo s trs ci r he ounecli nd itr ea ra ton, s ntt 28U. C.j1 nepl de ci purua o S. 335. 111 . AN A LY SIS M oton t St i i o r ke Beo e a d e sng te s mma y j d me tmoin t e Co r frt a d e s s a r ltd f r d r si h u r u g n to , h u t is d rs e eae M oto t St i ,f l d by D e e n s ECF N o.44.Spe fc l D e enda s a l ge t tD a e s i n o r ke ie f nda t . cii aly, f nt le ha ns y' Su e en a D e l r ton as e t ne f c sr s d f t fr ttm e i Pl i if s Re y a t t ppl m t l c a a i s red w a t ai e or he i s i n a ntf pl nd ha i s d be src n.I a ! 4.Pli ifs te ame a t houl tike d. t antf ubmitd morndum i opposton ( No.45) n ii ECF a poi s out t t t a l ge ne f c s as e t by Pl i if a os f om i s s r i e a nd nt ha he le d w a t s red a ntf r e r s ue a s d nd a misb ly o j cinsma eb Dee d n si t ero p sto t s mmayj d me t 1 a 3 d siii be to t d y fn a t n h i p o iin o u r u g n . d. t 5. The Cour i pe s ded by Pl i if s o t s r ua a ntf ' pposton m e or nd a t ca e c t d t r i The ii m a um nd he s s ie he e n. ne f c sr i ed by Pl i tf ' Re y s cii a l r l t t i s s r i e by t D e e w a t as a n i fs pl pe t c ly e a e o s ue a s d he f ndan s a a e t nd r t r or not pr bie a ne e de . Se loz v.Ha pt U ni ,N o.4: 6- 9 2007 he ef e ohi t d s w vi nce e l or m on v. 0 cv- 0, W L 1 01 a #1 ( D.Va.Ma 3,2007 .iW l r t rpl afda tmeey rs ndst 31 79, t 4 E. y ) t hee he e y fi vi rl epo o g m a t r pl c i i s by t oppos ton brefa doesno s i upon t o te s a ed n s ue he ii i nd t prng he pposng pa t ne i ry w ra onsf t e r ofs mma yj me s'i s dno be src n.1 (ii Ba v.Civ e s or he nty u r udg nt' t houl t tike d. ctng ugh t ofM iwa ,823F.Supp.1 1 -57( D. i.1 l ukee 452, 456 E. W s 993:. c di y,Dee nt'M oi Ac or ngl fnda s ton t Sti i D EN I a t Cour w il co i r t ot r s a i s bl a r e s i t o rke s ED nd he t l nsde he he wi e dm s i e ve m nt n he s em ent decl aton. uppl al ar i B. M oton f Sum m ary Judgm e i or nt Plitf c n e d s ei e t ld t s mmayj d me tb c u et eei n g n n is e anif o tn s h s ni e o u r u g n e a s h r s o e uie su t of m a e i l f c as t whet r s i t s e be fci r of t polc She c e t ra a t o he he s he ol ne i a y he i y. ont nds s i he s e il d t one hundr d pe c nt of t pr e ds be a e D ec de was no lm ie by t 200 ntte o e re he oc e c us e nt t i td he 3 Di c D e r e. D e e nt di a e a post t t D e ede w a pr bied by t D i c vor e c e f nda s s gr e nd i ha c nt s ohi t he vor e Dec e fo desgnai a be fc a y f m or t n ffy pe ce oft polc De e an sa s re rm i tng ne ii r or e ha it r nt he i y. f nd t lo a gue t t t r i a i s of m at r a f c a t whe he Dec den kno i l c ng d t r ha he e s n s ue eil a t s o t r e t w ng y ha e he bene i a y t hi polc i 2005. tci r o s i y n Standard ofR evi w e S mma.j d me ti p o rwheeçh r i n g n ieis ea t a ymae ilfc a d u l u g n s r pe y r i ee s o e un su s o n tra a t n t t mo a ti e t ldt j g n a amatro lw. F d R. v P. 6 a. g n ieis eo he v n s n i e o ud me t s te f a ' e . Ci. 5 () A e un su f t ' m ae i lf t e ss whe a r tona tir off c ,c i rng t e de e i t r o d a a t ra ac xit n a i l re a t onsde i he vi nc n he ec r s w hol coul fnd i f e, d i n avor of t non- ovi pa y. Ri v.D est ano, 557 U . 557, 586 he m ng rt cci ef S. ( 0 9 .E u r j g n i a p o rae o l i tkn t e e ie e a d al ra o a l 2 0 ) s mmay ud me t s p r p it ny f a ig h vd nc n l e s n be s i e e esdr w n t ef om i t lghtm os f vo a e t t nonm ovi pa t û m a e i lf t nf r nc a her r n he i t a r bl o he ng ry, no t r a ac s aeds u e a d temo i pa t i e tte t j d me ta amatro lw.' He r v. r el r ip td n h vng ry s nild o u g n s te f a ' n y Pu n l, ' 652 F. 524,531( h Ci.2011 ( n ba )( tng Aus nna v.Ba ofAm .Co p. 352 3d 4t r ) e nc quoi he n nk r, F. 896,8 ( h Ci.2003).A pa t op i s 3d 99 4t r ) ry posng ummayj me ,howe r t no r t r udg nt ve , k may t es upon t m e e alega i or de al ofhi pl a ng, ...m us s tf r h s cii f c ss w i he r l tons ni s s e di but t e o t pe fc a t ho ng t tt r i age neis f til'Andes v.Li rvLobbv,l ,477U. 242,248( 986 ha hee s nui sue or ra. ' ron be t nc. S. 1 ) ( tng Fed.R.Ci P.56()a Fis Na' BarkofAz v.CiisSev.Co.391U. 253,288 cii v. e nd rt tl t . te r , S. 89(968) 1 ). 2. 2003 Di vorce D ecree A s not t pa tes di agr a ed, he r i s ee boutt e f c of t Di c D e e be w e n D e e nt he f e t he vor e cr e t e c de a Pe r .D e enda s'prm a y c enton c e i t Di r Dec e i t t i pr bie nd a l f nt i r ont i onc m ng he vo ce r e s ha t ohi t d D e ed t f om na i Pl n if t s e be tci r of t M e t ie polc t voi ng t c en r m ng ai tf he ol nei a y he t af i y, hus di he c hange i isentr t --ora l a ta t ffy pe c ntoft polcy.ECF No.38 a 3.De e n s n t ie y t e s s o it r e he i t f nda t a g t tt Di r D ec e bi Dec den a t s Cou ta r quiest thi c l e ge a r ue ha he vo ce r e nds e t nd hi r nd e r ha s hidr n t t l s ha f oft pr ee oft polcy,or t e y- i pe ce e h.Pl i i fdi ag ee ,a g ng ea t l he oc ds he i w nt fve r nt ac a ntf s r s r ui t tbe a e t Di c D e r e doe noti c t a c r a n t r f whi h t des g ton of ha c us he vor e c e s ndi a e ny e t i e m or c he i na i t c l r n m us be m a nt i d a does no e e sy s a e t tt des gna i i ir voca e, he hid e t i a ne nd t xpr s l t t ha he i ton s r e bl Dec de w a unde no oblga i n t m ai t i hi c l e a f fy- r e be f c a i s f e r e nt s r i to o n a n s hidr n s i t pe c nt ne i i r e or ve . ECF N o.41 a 4.I t ad,Pl i if a g s t t De ede comple w ih t pr vi i whe he t ns e a ntf r ue ha c nt i d t he o s on n na d Ra l andStphe Er rbe tca isa trt dece wase erd...Pli iff t r me eyn e n dne nei ire fe he re nt e Jl antf urhe ts a s r s t t t l c of l ng ge e e sy m a ng t d i ton i r voc bl r s e t ha he a k a ua xpr s l ki he es gna i r e a e ende s t r he D i ce D e e a bi uous a t ta a bi uii s d be c t ue a i tt dr fe ,ie , vor gr e m g nd ha ny m g tes houl ons r d ga ns he a t r . . Pe lEr rand he a t ne .2 ar dne r tor ys Pl i tf ' ar e i unpe s s ve,m os not bl bec us i f is t a d by t a n i fs gum nt s r ua i t a y a e t a l o bi e he es a i he r e of cont a t i e pr t ton t t t e c r d S houl be i t r r e a s t g ve t bls d ul r c nt r e a i ha h onta ' s d n e p et d s o o i ef e t t e c pr s on of t c r t' Am .Rol- Rol- f Ca r e s LLC v.P & O Pors f c o a h ovi i he ontac . ' l on lo f r i r t Batmoe,479F. 288, (t Ci. li r 3d 293 4h r 2007) i (t ba i prncpl ofc rc i eprtton. . . A , d.1 sc i i e onta t ntr eai . 2 Plitf as s gg se f rt etrttmea t es mmayj dg nthe rngt tt eDioreDe r e an if lo u e td o h i s i t h u r u me ai ha h v c ce ( ra la tt pori a r ng b neist tec lrn,wh we ea ulsa t tmeo t dv c )ma o t e s he t wa di e ft o h hid e on o r d t t he i f he iore y be i i undera New Yor 1 t t does notalow di ce decr t pr de s nvald k aw ha l vor ees o ovi uppor t a taged t o dul- c l e lr s e tveo wheh rs halw wo dc n l twihERI A a d b s j c t p e mp in, hs hi n.re p c i f te uc a ul o fi t dr c S n e ub e t o re to t i isuewasnotbref d orpr l r s s t Cour doesnotconsi i her s i e opery aied, o he t der t e. 6 i t i t r e,t t e entpos i e a 1t t r i a c ta twiho r nderng a oft m s o n e pr t o he xt sbl , 1 he e ms n on r c t ut e i ny he me ni es ors rl .' ( tng Che k Trdi LLC v.Che x Lt ,393F. 55 a ngl s upe tuous' quoi ) mbul a nc. me d. 3d 0, 555 (t Ci.2004).The Di c De r i c t t tPealErne woul na Ra yn a 5h r ) vore cee ndiaes ha r d r d me el nd St phe be i i r e of hal of t pr e ds a t t De de r t i t r g t na e t e n nefc a i s f he oc e nd ha ce nt e a ned he i ht o m he bene i a y f t o he ha f l Pl ntf s a g en w e e c r c ,i woul m ake no s ns f t tci r or he t r l . f ai i f r um t r or e t t d e e or he e e s r t nton pr s on t be i ude bec us Dec de w oul have i f c r t i d t xpr s e e i ovi i o ncl d, a e e nt d n a t e a ne he r gh t nam e a be i i r f one hundr d per e of t pr ee , afe t ki t pu e y i to nefc a y or e c nt he oc ds t r a ng he r l t c c l s e of na i hi c l e f s e lm ie pe i of tm e.Pl i if s i e r t ton e hni a t p m ng s hidr n or om i t d r od i a ntf nt p e a i as rn e step o s ( rteb n ftt P a l n tec id e )me nige so s p rl o s I lo e d r h r mie o h e e i o e r a d h hl rn a n ls r u efu u ,t woul r quie onl t tt De e ntna hi c l e f s e uns c fe l t of tm e d e r y ha he c de me s hidr n or om pe ii d eng h i , e n l s t n a da and t n he w oul be e il d t c nge t de i ton a w il Thi woul ve e s ha y, he d ntte o ha he s gna i t l . s d con r ve t pl i m ea ng oft de e t a ne he a n ni he cr e. I s t t Cour fnds no a bi t i t t r s of t Di c D e r a i t d n hor , he ti m guiy n he e m he vor e c ee nd nsea tndst ti pl i y r r D e e i ha t a nl equied c dentt gi up hi r g t nam e a be f c ar f ff y pe c nt o ve s i ht o ne i i y or i t r e of t polc s pr ce ds and ga t t be i t Pea l Er r w ho el c e t de i t her he i y' o e ve ha neft o r dne , e t d o s gna e chidr n ast be i i res l e he nefc a i . I t r tngl t pa tes ha no a e s d i de ai one of t pr m a y l ga i s s n e es i y, he r i ve t ddr s e n t l he i r e l s ue r s dbyM eLiei ispla ngs whehe t Di r De rec tt esaQuaii dDome tc aie t f n t e di : t r he voce ce onsiut lte si ReltonsOr r (ç ai de iQDRO' unde ERI ECF No.4 a ! 23.ERI e iil pr mpt a1 ' ) r SA. t SA xplcty ee s l sae1w i ofra i ûeaest 'a ERI pl 29U. C.j 11 a .M ehe t dece i a tt a ns a s t t lt o' n SA an. r S. 44() t r he re s QDRO i sgnii ntbe us QDROSaesaut iy e l fom t br dr a h ofERI S s i fca ca e r tt orl xcuded r he oa e c SA' pre ton pr so See29 U. C.j11 b)7 (i-hepr e i clus )s l nota y t e mpi oviin. S. 44( () Gg- e mpton a e hal l ppl o qualfe do si r ai or r ( t nt me ni ofs ci 1 d)3( ()oft stte . iid me tc eltons des wihi he a ng e ton 056( ()B)i hi il) 7 ' .Th ,i t Di ceDe r heei a QDRO,i woul notbe pre ed byERI a ' us f he vor ) cee r s t d e mpt SA nd . . . coul begi n f lf c a efc .l i i notaQDRO,t ni woul bepr e e by ERI d ve ul ore nd fe t f t s he t d e mptd SA. Se M er Liel .Co.v.Pett 1 4 F. at863 ( prpet s tlme a e me e e e e to. f ns ti, 6 3d -64 a o ry ete nt gre nt ntr d i o by t di r i pate di notquaiy a aQDRO a t waspre td be a et nt wo vo cng ris d lf s nd hus e mpe c us he a e men pr ded k n alenae me hanim t obt n pln be is';i a n. (C SA' gr e t ovi d tr t c s o ai a neft' d. t 7 I a l ERI S pr mp i n clus wo d ba a sae 1 w domesi r ltonsor rfom at c ng ERI pl n ee to a e ul r ny t t a tc ea i de r ta hi SA a be is pe i orwelae,i i di notqualf asaQDRO'a fdealc neft, nson fr f t d iy ' nd e r ommon 1w c dnot a oul ovec ERI Spli ma t) rome SA' an ndae. AlhoughDeenda ssaet tt Di c Dece i aQDRO,t y donots cf how t f nt tt ha he vore re s he pe iy i me t t r uie t of29U. C.j 1 ( ( ( -( .l t d,t y smpl c e t ti t es he eq rmens S. 056d)3)B)-D) nsea he i y ontnd ha t i aQDRO i rNew Yor lw'( No.38a 9)be a eisopeai lng gei smia t s l unde k a 'ECF t c us t rtve a ua s i lr o t l gua oft di c de r f he mz ge he vore cee oundt bea QDRO i M er poltn LieI urnc Co.v. o n to ia f ns a e Bi o 283F. 436,4 ( Ci.2002) Pl nifdo notofe a a g ntast whyt celw, 3d 41 2d r . aitf es fr ny r ume o he Di r eDe r ehe ei notaQDRO.l a e nt Def nt di nottmeymovef s mmay vo c c e r s n ny ve , enda s d i l or u r j d me to t i is e o a y is e3I lg to t i fiu ea d te Co r' r ig i te n x u g n n hs su r n su . n ih f hs al r n h u ts ul n h e t n s ci n t tt r i a diput off c t tplce Pli ifsrghtt a pr ee oft polc i e to ha he e s s e a t ha a s antf i o ny oc ds he iy n queton,heCo tne no deemi a t stmewhehe t Di c Deceei aQDRO. si t ur ed t tr ne thi i t r he vore r s June 2005 C hange ofBenef ci es i ari A s pr vi l no e t pa te a s di a e ove w het t 2005 change t t e ous y t d, he ri s l o s gr e r her he o he bene i a y f m des g tng D a e as t s e be t c a y w hi h w as m a onlne w as fci r or i na i ns y he ol ne i i r c de i At t hearng,De endant counselac he i f s' knowl edged t he had not fl a wrte m oton,but hat ied il n i s g se t tp rils u ge td ha a ta umma' j gme ti hi cins fvo woud b pr e pu s ntt Rul 5 4 l ud n n s le t' a r l e op r rua o e 6 9. y Rul 56 9 al tec r t g a ts e ( lows h ou t o r n umma yj dg nto pata s r u me r ril ummayj gme tide e e to t e r ud n n p nd n f h mo i ,6a fe gi ngn iea dar a o bl tmet r s n ...'Th Cour de ln st is apata ton ç ltr vi otc n e s na e i o e po d . e l ' t cie o sue ril s mmayj g ntr ig wiho talwig Plitf ap o e o oruni t r p d. c dn y,t t e u r ud me uln t u lo n an if r p r pp t t o es on Ac or igl o h y e tntt tDe e nt ha mad a o a mo i f pata s mma yj dg nt t tmo in i d nid x e ha fnda s ve e n r l ton or ril u r u me , ha to s e e wiho tprj die. t u eu c 8 va i y a know i y m a by Dec de .The pa te f t r cont tt a i s biiy o ea h ldl nd ngl de e nt r i s urhe es he dm s i lt f c o he ' e i enc of e e t pr ordi pr t rve s ons oft f c s4 The Cour hasca e uly t r s v d e f r d o ove s ove hei r i he a t . t rf l c i r d t a i s bl e de of e ed by e c pa t a de e nes t tt r a e di pu e ons de e he dm s i e vi nce f r a h ry nd t nni ha he e r s t d i s ofm a e i f c a t w he he D e e thi s l know i y c nge t be i i r s ues t ral a t s o t r c den m e f ngl ha d he netc a y. The Co tno es t t Pl i if ha of e ed s gnii nta s t ntale de t s ur t ha a ntf s f r i tca nd ubs a i vi nce o uppor t he c a m t tD e de know i y c nge t nn e be fci r on hi M e Li e polc i J r l i ha ce nt ngl ha d he m d ne i a y s t f i y n une 2005. Fis , Pl i if s it t de l z to of St ve Sha ef w ih he m e o a r t a ntf ubm ted he c a a i n e n r f t r m r ndum i n s p o to s mmayj d me t ECF No. 4,S aefDe l Mr S rf i a atr e wh a es u p r f u r u g n. 3 h rf c. . hae f s n to n y o v r t a h me wihDe e e to J n 8 2 0 t p e aeawilfrDe e e t S ae fDe l a !3 h t e t t c d n n u e , 0 5 o rp r l o c d n . h r f c. t . M r Sha e f s a es t tD ec de diec e t tPl i if be m a t s e be tci r of t w il . r f t t ha e nt r t d ha a ntf de he ol ne i a y he l a t thi chidr n- Def nda s Ra l n a St phe Er r be di i ied.Sha e f De .a nd ha s l e e nt e y nd e n dne s nhert r f cl t !4.Mr Shaefalosae t thi fl not rfec De ede te esedadesr t ma Da e . rf s tts ha s ie es el t c n xpr s ie o ke ns y t s ebe fcay oft M eLiei urnc polc ShaefDec.a ! 6.M r Shaef notd t t he ol neiir he t f ns a e iy. rf l t . r f e ha he a s d D e ede t t t wilw oul not a f c t lf i ur nc polc a t the woul dvi e c nt ha he l d f e t he ie ns a e i y nd ha d ne t m ake t t c ed o ha hange unde t polc 1 W hie Def nda s cha l nge m uc of M r r he i y. d. l e nt le h . Sha e f s de a a i on hea s gr r f ' cl r ton r ay ounds t Cour c ude t tm os ,i nota l oft he r ay , he t oncl s ha t f l, he a s c ane t ri flswihi t he ra e e in ofRul 8034 ,whih al a c tt onti d heen al t n he a sy xc pto e 3) c lows our o a tr a dls ofadeca a ' a l lt tg)sae ntoft de l a ' t n-xitngsae dmi,eg r e s lr nts vaiabiiy,sa ttme he carnts he e si tt ofmi (uc a motve,i e orpln).... Fe R.Evi 8034 ,s as Unie Sttsv. nd s h s i ntnt a ' d. ' d. 3) ee lo td ae . Srvatva,411F.App' 671 684 ( h Ci.Feb.18 2011 (npubls d)( l tng a t iy i sa x. , 4t r , )u ihe coleci uhort 4 Asnot , t e lf i ance polcy atis i t scas i gover ERI ,whi pr ed h ie nsur i s ue n hi e s ned SA ch eempt al sa e s l tt lwst tr aet a y e o ebe ei pa 29 U. C.j 1 44 a . c us f d r llw s ple ter e a ha elt o n mplye n tt ln. S. 1 ( ) Be a e e e a a up is h ul ofdecii t f r r es ofevi son, he ede al ul dence appl Phoeni M ut Lie I Co.v.Adams,30 F. 554,566 y. x . f ns, 3d ( h Ci.1 4) Addiinal f d r lp oc du a sa a d- icl i fdea lw a t t a misbl y 4t r 99 . to l e e a r e r l tnd r s n udng e r l a s o he d s iii y, t o e ie c- g v r smma j d me tna ycs . it Co to Co p v P ic Wil m Co srCo. f vd n e o en u q u g n i n a e Uti nr l r . . rn e la n t. . ly i I .5 F.d 71 ,7 0 (t Cl.1 7) Ac or ngy t t e tn t tt ep ris ag nt r l o sae nc, 58 2 6 2 4 h r 97 . c di l, o he xe t ha h a te ' r ume s ey n tt evi ntar r es t Cour doesnotconsi t e ar de i y ul , he t der hos gument . s 9 a dic sngt r uie nt fra si lt unde Rul 8 3). anyoft sae nt of nd susi he eq rme s o dmisbiiy r e 03( ) M he ttme s D e e nt r f r ed i M r Sha e f s de a a i a e a is bl unde t s e e i a t c de e e enc n . r f ' cl r ton r dm s i e r hi xc pton nd hus s uppor D a e s ve s on oft f c s t ns y' r i he a t . Pl ntf al o s it d he o n de l r ton,i whi h s s a e t t s w as pr s n ai if s ubm te r w c a ai n c he t t s ha he eet whe De de ma t c ngeo J 1 2005. ns yDe l a !4. ai ifatc d ac n ce nt de he ha n une 0, Da e c. t Pl ntf ta he opy of t Be i i r Des gna i prn e by De de a gi n t Pl ntf on J he nefc a y i ton, i t d ce nt nd ve o ai i f une 1 2005. 0, ECF N o. 34, C; ns De l a !4. Pl i i fsde a a i a s s a est tD e de t d he cl r ton l o t t ha ce nt ol r Ex. Da ey c. t 5 antf he was m aki hert pr m a y be i i r û of g a iude f hel ng hi a a tm e i hi lf ng he i r nefc a y t out r tt or pi m t i n s ie whe hewa s frng s roushe t p o e .'Da e De l a !7.Pli iffrhe sae t t n s ufei ei alh r blms' ns y c. t antf u t r tts ha s w a pr e w he D ec de c l hi ne w , J e M uchow , on t t da t get t he s es nt n e nt aled s phe os ph ha y o he ne sa yi or to t ma hi ac tnge be ii y.Da e De .a !5;s eas ECF ce sr nf main o ke m oni nt nefcar ns y cl t e lo No.3 Ex.J The esae t,oo,aead si eunde Fe R.Evi 803() 4, . s ttmens t r misbl r d. d. 3 . Def nt con e tt valdiy of t c nge i be tci r e ,a a l ge t t De de enda s t s he i t he ha n ne i a i s nd le ha ce nt di notha know l d ve edge oft cha .The s he nge y ugges i t a t tPl ntf m ade t c nge usng t ns e d ha ai i f he ha i i or a i a ia e t he .ECF N o.38 a 1 The ar ue t t f t s r a on,t y a e t nf m ton va l bl o r t -2. y g ha or hi e s he r he be fci r e of o hundr d pe ce of t M e Lie polc I s ne i a i s ne e r nt he t f i y. n uppor of t i ve s on of t t he r r i he f c s De e nt of e cic s a i la t s i oni le de e t tD e de had no know l ge a t , f nda s f r r um t nta nd e tm a vi nc ha ce nt ed oft c nge ofbe i a y m a o J 1 2005.Def nda spoi t t Di c Dec e he ha nefcir de n une 0, e nt nt o he vor e r e, whi h or r d D e e ntt na e hi t o c l e a t be t c a i of ha f of t pr e ds c de e c de o m s w hidr n s he ne i i res l he oc e , and Decedent s subs ' equentcom plance w ih t s or ECF N o.38 at 7,Ex.A .Bas on t s i t hi der. ed hi , 5 W hie Def ndant chale t documentas i l e s lnge he nadm isbl, Dans hasave r t i was gi t si e ey r ed hat t ven o herby De ntaRe he prnt i.A sm iardocumentwasalo atached t one ofM etaf s pl ngs. cede r i ed t i l s t o tie' eadi Al ug t sd u ntma no be p o e l a t e tc td frp p e o s mma yj me t t r i t h hi oc me ho y t r p ry u h niae o ur os s f u r udg n , hee s enough evi dence, e wihout i,t s ven t t o upporta tndi t Dec nt made t change,as dicus d i ng hat ede he s se her n. ei 10 t y co e t t Dec nt woul notha tid t na s one as one h r d pe ce he nt nd ha ede d ve re o me ome und e r nt bene i i r s nc he kne he had no r gh t do s fc a y, i e w i to o. D e e nt alo s f nda s s ugges t t Da e ha t m e ns a o t ha ns y d he a nd pporuniy t m a t c ng t t o ke he ha e he s f I s ppo toft saleg i n, he not t tM e tie s ntt D e de ' pos ofi e bo i r el. n u r hi l ato t y e ha t af e o ce nt s t fc x n Tr V igi a a l tert t i l d hi em pl e i n ii ton num be a enc a d hi t oy, r ni e t ha nc ude s oye de ttca i r nd our ge m o us a onlne f t r s a e orc nge hi be f c a y desgna i ECF N o. a 7,Er rD e . e n i onu o e t t ha s ne i i r i ton 38 t ' dne cl a !9,Ex.B.M orove ,i he afda t Dee ntPe r Er rsae t tDec de waslvi t e r n r fi vi, fnda al dne tts ha e nt i ng i Cha l t s le a t tm e t lte was mal d a t t Pl i if ha a c s t r tive n rote vil t he i he et r ie nd ha antf d c es o e re De e n ' malfom t pos ofie box.Er ne Dec.a ! 1 6Deenda Pe r Er ras c de ts i r he t fc d r l t 0. f nt al dne lo f ound a ong Dec den ' per ona pa r a doc e ti Pl i if s ha rtng t tr a d s r m e t s s l pe s um n n a ntf ' ndw ii ha e d: ' e U Na Uncl 999 Paswor 99999W . Er r Dec.a ! 1 Pe r Er r sae t ts i me e s d 5 dne ' l t 5. a l dne tts ha he s i onned a oft bei ft tt swa t a coun i o ma i us t c ng t be i ir nf nd he le ha hi s he c t nf r ton ed o ha e he nefca y de i ton on t M et f polc l La ty, Pea lEr r not s t t D ec de û erook t s gna i he Lie i y. d. s l r dne e ha e nt t und t o r ove Pl ntf as a benefci y t any ofhi es at orasset i udi hi wil' s l aferhe em ai i f i ar o s te s, ncl ng s l,' horty t rtmwd t New Yok a rc l wih Dee nt.l a !! 1 -20.I lght of t s et o r nd e oncied t fnda s d. t 9 n i hi, D e e nt c e t t Dec de ' f l e t c f nda s ont nd ha e nt s aiur o hange t Polc s be f c a y desgna i ba k he i y' ne i i r i ton c t hi c l e s o s hidr n uppor s a i e e t the di no know i had be n c nge t s e ot r t n nf r nce ha d t t e ha d o om one he t n hi c l e ha s hidr n. W hie t e de e i s l he vi nc n uppor of De e nt 'co e i nsi s e tw e k ba e on t t f nda s nt nto s om wha a s d he c r ntr co d,t Cour c ude t tt e de e i s fci ntt cr a e a ge ne di pu e of ur e e r he t oncl s ha he vi nc s uf i e o e t nui s t m a e i lf tas t whet r o no D e e nt knowi l cha d t be fci r des g ton f t r a ac o he r t c de ng y nge he ne i a y i na i or 6 Pl ntf o j cst t s sae n sf lc ofpes a k wld .Pe r' afda tsae t a ai if b e t o he e ttme t or a k ron l no e ge als fi vi tts h t s has per onalknow l he s edge,but of er no ot evi nce t s f s her de o uppor t s On t bass oft cur ent t hi. he i he r r d,t Cour cannots y defnii y wheherPear Er ecor he t a i tvel t l dnerdoes ordoesnothave per onalknow l s edge oft e f ct Regar ess even i t e sat hes a s. dl , f hes t ement wer i s e nadm isi e,Def s bl endant ha pr ded ot s ve ovi her admi i e evi nce s fci f t Cour t r e on t smoton. ssbl de uf i ent or he t o ul hi i hi M e Lie polc The t tm ony of De de ' a t ne ce t i y pr de s gnii a e de s t f i y. es i ce nt s tor y ra nl ovi s i f c nt vi nce t t i w a D e ede ' de i e t nn e D a ey a hi be t c a y i 2005. Pl i if s o n ha t s c nt s s r o m ns s s ne i i r n a ntf ' w t si e tmony,a we l woul s s l, d uppor s h a fndi Thi Co t howe r mus c i whe he a t uc i ng. s ur, ve , t onsder t r r s bl f c -i r c d fnd f D e e nt ,a m us dr w al r as bl i er nc s i t ea ona e a t tnde oul i or f nda s nd t a 1 e ona e nf e e n he lgh m os f vor bl t t m .l doi s t Co tc ude t t Def nda s ha pr vi ed i t t a a e o he n ng o, he ur oncl s ha e nt ve o d s fci nt a i sbl c r um sa i l e de uf i e dm s i e i c t nta vi nce t s o uppor t e s e e of a ge ne i s of t he xi t nc nui s ue m a e i lf c ast w he he D e ed t e c e t c tra a t o t r c en xe ut d he hange i be i i r f n nefc a y onn.Att ve y l as , he r e t t fcs a i ee s s he a t nd nf rnce unoundi ( ) t lte snt by M elie i M a 2005,( t ng 1 he etr e tvf n y 2) he s eq n us of a onlne be tca y de i ton f m, an () De de ' a rnt ubs ue t e n i nei ir sgnai or d 3 ce nts ppae s e nt e f t t r m ove Pl i if as a be i i r t hi e t t a a s t ,a e s fc e t t ubs que f or s o e a ntf nefc a y o s s a e nd s e s r uf i i n o ove c e Pl i if s a s ri t t no g ne i s of m a e i f c s e s . A c r ng y, r om a ntf s e ton ha enui s ue t ral a t xi t co di l Plitf smoin frs mmayj dg n i DENI an if to o u r u me t s ED. l . V C ON C LU SI N O Fort ra onss tf t heei Dee nt'Motont Sti ( No. )i DENI he e s e orh r n, fnda s i o rke ECF 44 s ED a Plitf M oto f SummayJ nd anips in or r udgme ( No.33)i DENI An a opraeode nt ECF s ED. ppr it r r s lis t sda hal s ue hi y. ENTER:Thi /m Qu y ofOct r 2012. s t da obe , p ' p . t zZ/pu < ,- uu ' , Jmues C . ; ur a j k Se orU nie St t D i t i tJ ni t d a es sr c udge

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