Metropolitan Life Insurance Company v. Nelson et al

Filing 11

STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR DISBURSAL OF LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS CONSISTENT WITH SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, DISMISSAL, AND PLAINTIFF'S FEES AND COSTS signed by Hon. Michelle L. Peterson, the parties' 10 Stipulated Motion. (TF)

Case 2:20-cv-00314-MLP Document 11 Filed 01/07/21 Page 1 of 4

Hon. Judge Michelle L. Peterson

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE

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METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY, a New York Corporation
NO. 2:20-CV-00314-MLP
Plaintiff,

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vs.
JULIE NELSON, an individual; J.S. (a minor),
by and through her parent and guardian Julie
Nelson; K.S. (a minor), by and through her
parent and guardian Julie Nelson; SYDNEY
SLOVE, an individual; and SHARON
WILLIAMS, an Individual,

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STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR
DISBURSAL OF LIFE INSURANCE
PROCEEDS CONSISTENT WITH
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT,
DISMISSAL, AND PLAINTIFF’S FEES
AND COSTS

Defendants.

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STIPULATION
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Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”), by and through its counsel of record,
Julie Nelson, J.S., K.S., and Sydney Slove (collectively, “Nelson Defendants”) by and through

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their counsel of record, and Sharon Williams, by and through her counsel of record,
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(collectively, the “Parties”) hereby stipulate and agree as follows:

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1.

At the time of his death, Decedent Eric Slove was enrolled in a plan for basic life

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insurance coverage with MetLife with benefits in the amount of two hundred thirty-one thousand
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dollars ($231,000).
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2.
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The Nelson Defendants and Sharon Williams presented MetLife with competing

claims to the benefits of Mr. Slove’s life insurance policy.

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STIPULATION AND ORDER-1

GORDON REES SCULLY
MANSUKHANI, LLP
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100
Seattle, WA 98104
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]

Case 2:20-cv-00314-MLP Document 11 Filed 01/07/21 Page 2 of 4

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3.

MetLife filed this interpleader action with the Court under Rule 22 to resolve the

competing claims to the benefits. No funds have been deposited with the court.
4.

The Nelson Defendants and Sharon Williams engaged in a mediation regarding

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the disputed life insurance benefits. At mediation, the Nelson Defendants and Sharon Williams

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reached a settlement agreement regarding the disbursal of the benefits. A copy of the Settlement

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Agreement is attached as Exhibit A.

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5.

Interest on the life insurance benefits, as of January 6, 2021, is approximately

$32,314.67.
6.

The Parties agree that MetLife shall disburse the benefits consistent with the terms

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of the Settlement Agreement, including an award to MetLife for its attorney’s fees and costs,

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without further Court involvement. Specifically, the Parties agree that MetLife shall despot the

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total amount of the benefits, including the interest, in the Anderson Hunter Trust Account.

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Anderson Hunter will then provide check(s) for the amounts payable to the Nelson Defendants

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and Ms. Williams.

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7.

The Parties agree that MetLife’s attorneys’ fees and costs shall be paid/withheld

from the benefits in the amount of $5,000.
8.

Following the disbursement of the life insurance proceeds, as described above, the

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Parties agree that this court shall enter an order discharging MetLife of all liability related to the

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benefits and the handling of the claims and disbursement of benefits.

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9.

Thereafter, the parties agree that this matter should be dismissed with prejudice.

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STIPULATION AND ORDER-2

GORDON REES SCULLY
MANSUKHANI, LLP
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100
Seattle, WA 98104
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]

Case 2:20-cv-00314-MLP Document 11 Filed 01/07/21 Page 3 of 4

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Dated: January 7, 2021

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GORDON REES SCULLY MANSUKHANI,
LLP

ANDERSON HUNTER LAW FIRM

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By: /s/ Elizabeth K. Morrison
Elizabeth K. Morrison, WSBA #43042
Attorneys for Plaintiff MetLife
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

By: /s/ Ian Johnson
Ian Johnson, WSBA # 39724
Attorneys for Defendant Sharon Williams
72707 Colby Avenue #1001
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

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MORGAN HILL P.C.

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By: /s/ Clint L. Morgan
Clint L. Morgan, WSBA #22181
Attorneys for Defendants Julie Nelson,
J.S., K.S., and Sydney Slov
2102 Carriage Dr. SW, Bldg C
Olympia, WA 98502-5700
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

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ORDER
THIS MATTER, having come before the Court on the parties’ Stipulation for Disbursal
of Funds consistent with Settlement Agreement; Dismissal; and Plaintiff’s Attorneys’ Fees and
Costs, and the Court being fully advised in the premises, now, therefore, it is ORDERED that:

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STIPULATION AND ORDER-3

GORDON REES SCULLY
MANSUKHANI, LLP
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100
Seattle, WA 98104
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]

Case 2:20-cv-00314-MLP Document 11 Filed 01/07/21 Page 4 of 4

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1.

Within ten (10) court days of the entry of this Order, MetLife shall disburse the

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benefits at issue consistent with the Parties’ stipulation and provide notice to the court and all

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parties.

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2.

Upon completion of the disbursal of all funds, MetLife shall be discharged of all

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liability arising from the handling of the claims to the life insurance benefits at issue and this

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action shall be dismissed with prejudice.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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ENTERED this 7th day of January 2021.

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A

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MICHELLE L. PETERSON
United States Magistrate Judge

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STIPULATION AND ORDER-4

GORDON REES SCULLY
MANSUKHANI, LLP
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100
Seattle, WA 98104
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]