Estate of Meredith L. Sullivan ( 2021 )

IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
IN THE MATTER OF ) C.A. No. 2018-0741-PWG
THE ESTATE OF )
MEREDITH L. SULLIVAN )
MASTER’S REPORT
Date Submitted: November 19, 2020
Final Report: February 22, 2021
Scott E. Swenson, Brandon R. Harper, and Charles J. Durante, CONNOLLY
GALLAGHER, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorneys for Petitioner
Jason C. Powell, THE POWELL FIRM, LLC, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorney for
Respondent
GRIFFIN, Master
A spouse, who was recently divorced in Delaware but moved to Pennsylvania,
dies unexpectedly, leaving her former husband as the named primary beneficiary on
her life insurance policies. There is a conflict of laws issue whether Delaware law
or Pennsylvania law applies. Unlike Delaware, Pennsylvania has a revocation-upon-
divorce law that would divest the former husband of his beneficiary status for the
life insurance proceeds. The former husband has moved for judgment on the
pleadings, arguing that, based upon a choice of laws analysis, he is entitled to the
proceeds under Delaware law. He also requests dismissal of the equitable claim filed
by the deceased spouse’s estate. In contrast, the deceased spouse’s estate and life
insurance contingent beneficiaries claim that Pennsylvania law governs since the
deceased spouse had changed her domicile to Pennsylvania by the time of her death.
I recommend the Court deny the former husband’s motion for judgment on the
pleadings, in part, and grant it, in part. I find that Pennsylvania law governs the
disposition of the deceased spouse’s individual life insurance proceeds so the former
husband is not entitled to those proceeds as a matter of law, and recommend that he
be ordered to pay those proceeds to the deceased spouse’s estate. In addition, I find
that Delaware law governs the disposition of the deceased spouse’s group life
insurance proceeds and the former husband is entitled to those proceeds as a matter
of law. Finally, I recommend that the Court dismiss the equitable claim of deceased
spouse’s estate. This is a final report.
1
I. Background
Meredith Sullivan (“Decedent”) and Petitioner Luke Chapman were married
on September 12, 2009 and lived in Delaware during most of their marriage. 1 On
February 22, 2018, Petitioner filed for divorce, with the Delaware Family Court
entering a divorce decree (“Decree”) on April 13, 2018.2 Decedent was the victim
of an unexpected, violent crime, which caused her death on April 23, 2018. 3 At her
death, Decedent was insured on three life insurance policies (“Policies”) – two
individual Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”) policies,
and a University of Delaware group life insurance policy through Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company (“MetLife”). 4 Petitioner was the sole beneficiary on the
MassMutual policies and the named primary beneficiary on the MetLife policy.5
Respondents Faye Sullivan (“Sullivan”), Decedent’s mother, Jessica Sullivan
(“Jessica”), Decedent’s sister, and Thomas Sullivan III (“Thomas”), Decedent’s
brother, (together “Respondents”) were the named contingent beneficiaries on the
1
Docket Item (“D.I.”) 1, ¶¶ 2, 4. The issue of whether Decedent remained domiciled in
Delaware until her death was originally in dispute. Petitioner subsequently conceded that
Decedent was domiciled in Pennsylvania at the time of her death, and Decedent’s domicile
in Pennsylvania at the time of her death is no longer in dispute.
2
D.I. 1, ¶¶ 6, 7; see also D.I. 21, ¶ 77. The divorce action remains pending for purposes
of property settlement. D.I. 1, ¶ 8.
3
D.I. 1, ¶ 10.
4
D.I. 16, ¶ 26.
5
Id., ¶ 43.
2
MetLife policy.6 Sullivan is the administrator of Decedent’s probate estate opened
in Pennsylvania, which would receive the MassMutual proceeds if Petitioner is
determined not to be entitled to those proceeds. 7 Life insurance proceeds
(“Proceeds”) from the Policies were paid out to Petitioner on or about September of
2018. 8
Petitioner filed a petition for review of revocation of his letters of estate
administration and for declaratory judgment on October 15, 2018, seeking a
declaratory judgment that Decedent was domiciled in Delaware at the time of her
death, and Delaware is the proper jurisdiction for the administration of Decedent’s
estate.9 Sullivan’s response denied that Decedent was domiciled in Delaware at her
death.10 The matter was stayed for mediation, which was unsuccessful. 11 In the
6
Id., ¶¶ 44-46. I use first names in pursuit of clarity and intend no familiarity or disrespect.
7
Sullivan opened an estate for the Decedent on June 27, 2018 with the Delaware County
Register of Wills in Pennsylvania. Id., ¶ 20, Ex. B. There are no contingent beneficiaries
designated for the MassMutual policies, which state “[i]f no beneficiary is entitled to the
payment at time of claim, the proceeds shall be made to . . . the Owner’s [Decedent’s]
estate.” D.I. 35, Exs. 1, 2.
8
MetLife denied Sullivan’s claim for the Proceeds referencing Decedent’s divorce from
Petitioner in Delaware and that Delaware does not have a revocation-upon-divorce law
affecting insurance beneficiary designations. D.I. 16, ¶¶ 38, 40, Ex. H. MassMutual also
denied Sullivan’s claim, stating that “all relevant and material acts necessary to bring the
Policies into force happened in, or originated from, the State of Delaware,” so the
Pennsylvania revocation-upon-divorce law did not apply. Id., ¶ 42, Ex. I.
9
D.I. 1.
10
D.I. 5, ¶ 1.
11
D.I. 8; D.I. 12.
3
amended petition (“Amended Petition”) filed on June 4, 2019, Petitioner added the
claim that, based upon conflicts of laws principles, Delaware law governs the
disposition of the Proceeds, making him the proper recipient of the Proceeds.12
Respondents, in their counterclaims, ask the Court to declare that Petitioner is not
entitled to receive any of the Proceeds under Pennsylvania’s revocation-upon-
divorce law, which operates to divest Petitioner of his beneficiary status for the
Proceeds by reason of divorce. 13 In addition, Sullivan, in her counterclaim, argues
it would be inequitable for Petitioner to retain the Proceeds since Decedent did not
intend for Petitioner to remain as beneficiary on her life insurance policies and
Petitioner, as her insurance agent and financial advisor, breached his fiduciary duty
when he failed to advise her that she could change her beneficiary designation while
divorce proceedings were pending.14
Petitioner filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings on August 15, 2019,
and an amended motion (“Motion”) on October 28, 2019, arguing that he is entitled
to judgment as a matter of law, irrespective of Decedent’s domicile, because, under
Delaware choice of law principles, Delaware law governs the distribution of the
12
D.I. 16, ¶¶ 59-67. The Amended Petition also added Jessica and Thomas as interested
parties. Id., ¶¶ 45, 46.
13
D.I. 17, ¶ 74; D.I. 28, ¶¶ 76-77.
14
D.I. 17, ¶¶ 77-80.
4
Proceeds. 15 He claims the effects of the Decree are determined by Delaware law,
and that the Policies’ most significant relationship is with Delaware.16 Further,
Petitioner asserts Sullivan’s equitable claim should be dismissed. 17 Respondents
oppose the Motion, arguing that choice of law principles support looking to the law
of the insured’s new domicile – Pennsylvania – to determine whether the former
spouse’s beneficiary designation would be automatically revoked by the divorce,
which it would be under Pennsylvania law. 18 Sullivan contends that her equitable
claim focuses on Decedent’s intent, a disputed factual issue, and that Petitioner could
conceivably be found to have breached his fiduciary duty.19
An oral argument on the Motion was held by Zoom on April 9, 2020, followed
by the parties filing additional submissions on May 11, 2020. 20 On July 1, 2020, the
Court ordered the Motion stayed to schedule an evidentiary hearing on Decedent’s
domicile. 21 Petitioner filed exceptions to the Court’s July 1, 2020 Order, on July 13,
15
D.I. 22; D.I. 30; D.I. 35.
16
D.I. 35, at 12-21.
17
Id., at 22-25.
18
D.I. 39, at 9-15.
19
Id., at 16-19.
20
D.I. 46; D.I. 49; D.I. 50.
21
D.I. 54. The Court found it necessary to determine Decedent’s domicile at the time of
her death prior to making a decision on the Motion because, if she is determined to be
domiciled in Delaware when she died, Delaware law applies and there is no conflict of
laws dispute for the Court to decide. Id., at 2. The Court held that deciding the Motion
5
2020, but withdrew those exceptions on August 13, 2020. 22 Discovery disputes
arose, with the Court addressing those disputes in a telephonic oral argument on
November 18, 2020, staying discovery pending a decision on the Motion.23 During
that argument, Petitioner conceded that Decedent was domiciled in Pennsylvania at
the time of her death. 24 The choice of law issue remains and I address it below.
II. Standard of Review
In determining a motion for judgment on the pleadings under Court of
Chancery Rule 12(c), “a trial court is required to view the facts pleaded and
inferences to be drawn from such facts in a light most favorable to the non-moving
party.”25 The Court takes all well-pleaded factual allegations in the pleadings as
admitted and can only grant a motion for judgment on the pleadings “when no
material issue of fact exists and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of
law.” 26 “The court also may consider the unambiguous terms of exhibits attached to
without first addressing Decedent’s domicile would, effectively, be rendering an advisory
opinion. Id.
22
D.I. 55; D.I. 58.
23
Petitioner’s motion for a protective order, which was filed on November 12, 2020, was
granted, staying discovery pending a decision on the Motion. Respondent’s motion to
compel, filed on November 4, 2020, was held pending a decision on the Motion. D.I. 67.
24
D.I. 68, Arg. Tr. 11:7-8. See also D.I. 64, ¶ 2.
25
Desert Equities, Inc. v. Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund, II, LP, 624 A.2d 1199,
1205 (Del. 1993); see also W. Coast Mgmt. & Capital, LLC v. Carrier Access Corp., 914
A.2d 636, 641 (Del. Ch. 2006).
26
Desert Equities, Inc., 624 A.2d at 1205; see also Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V. v.
Westinghouse Elec. Co. LLC, 166 A.3d 912, 925 (Del. 2017), as revised (June 28, 2017).
6
the pleadings, including those incorporated by reference.”27 “The Court need not,
however, accept conclusory allegations or draw unreasonable inferences from the
pleadings.”28
III. Analysis
A. Which state’s law governs the disposition of the life insurance proceeds?
This case involves a conflict of laws issue – whether Delaware or
Pennsylvania law governs the disposition of life insurance proceeds paid on
individual and group life insurance policies. The issue appears to involve questions
of first impression in Delaware. “Under general conflict of laws principles, the
forum court will apply its own conflict of laws rules to determine the governing law
in a case.”29 Therefore, I apply Delaware’s choice of law principles in a conflict of
laws analysis between Delaware and Pennsylvania laws. Since the Policies are silent
on choice of law, I first “compare the laws of the competing jurisdictions to
determine whether the laws actually conflict,” or would “produce different results
when applied to the factors of the case.”30 Pennsylvania has a revocation-on-divorce
27
OSI Sys., Inc. v. Instrumentarium Corp., 892 A.2d 1086, 1090 (Del. Ch. 2006).
28
Raymond L. Hammond Irrevocable Tr. Agreement, 2016 WL 359088, at *3 (Del. Ch.
Jan. 28, 2016).
29
Tyson Foods, Inc. v. Allstate Ins. Co., 2011 WL 3926195, at *5 (Del. Super. Aug. 31,
2011).
30
CNH Am., LLC v. Am. Cas. Co. of Reading, Pennsylvania, 2014 WL 626030, at *7 (Del.
Super. Jan. 6, 2014) (citations omitted); see also Motors Liquidation Co., Dip Lenders Tr.
7
statute that deems a former spouse of a life insurance policyholder domiciled in
Pennsylvania “to have predeceased the policyholder for beneficiary purposes under
the terms of the life insurance policy.” 31 If Pennsylvania law applies, Petitioner is
treated as if he predeceased Decedent, divesting him of his beneficiary status for the
Proceeds. In contrast, Delaware does not have a statute automatically revoking
beneficiary designations upon divorce, so under the terms of the insurance policies
(without other considerations), Petitioner, as the primary beneficiary on the Policies,
is entitled to the Proceeds. 32 Because the competing jurisdictions’ laws conflict, I
conduct a choice of laws analysis.
“It is well established that Delaware decides choice of law questions based
upon the “most significant relationship test” set forth in the [Restatement (Second)
of Conflict of Laws].”33 “The Court’s interpretation of an insurance policy is a matter
v. Allianz Ins. Co., 2013 WL 7095859, at *2 (Del. Super. Dec. 31, 2013), aff’d, 191 A.3d
1109 (Del. 2018).
31
State Farm Ins. Co. v. Kitko, 241 A.3d 648, 655 (Pa. Super. 2020); 20 Pa.C.S.A. §6111.2.
32
D.I. 16, ¶ 43. Delaware’s revocation-on-divorce law limits automatic revocation on
divorce to a testamentary disposition or appointment of property made by a will to an ex-
spouse. 12 Del. C. §209. The beneficiary designations on the Policies were clear and
unambiguous and courts may not interpret insurance documents that are not ambiguous.
See In re Estate of Willin, 1996 WL 757214, at *2 (Del. Ch. Dec. 9, 1996).
33
CNH Am., LLC, 2014 WL 626030, at *6. The Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws
is hereinafter referred to as “Second Restatement.” See also Pharmathene, Inc. v. Siga
Techs., Inc., 2008 WL 151855, at *6 (Del. Ch. Jan. 16, 2008); Reese v. Wheeler, 2004 WL
1320900, at *2 (Del. Super. June 10, 2004) (“Delaware applies the ‘most significant
relationship’ test for choice of law issues in a contract case”). “[T]he traditional choice of
law guidelines followed by the Delaware courts [provided that] issues pertaining to . . . the
construction and validity of a contract [are] governed by the law of the place where it is
8
of law.”34 The Delaware Supreme Court found that the Second
Restatement generally provides
three layers of guidance for determining the state with the most
significant relationship to the dispute and thus the applicable state law.
First, the Second Restatement provides specific presumptions. If the
facts of a case don’t fit those specific presumptions, there are broader
subject-matter-specific factors to use. Regardless, courts use the
general policy considerations for choice of law articulated in [Second
Restatement’s] §6 to guide the overall analysis.35
I first consider the effect of the Decree on the choice of law for determining
the distribution of the Proceeds. Petitioner argues that the dispute “centers on the
effect of the Divorce on the distribution of the Proceeds” and, because the Decree
was issued in Delaware, Delaware law controls. 36 He relies on the court’s holding
in Richetti v. Sanzo, in which then Vice Chancellor Chandler held that, under
Delaware choice of law principles, “the law of the state in which a divorce decree is
made or the place of contracting.” Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa. v. RLC
Corp., 449 A.2d 257, 261 (Del. Super. 1982) (citing Harris v. New York Life Ins. Co., 33
A.2d 154, 157 (Del. Ch. 1943)); see also Wilmington Tr. Co. v. Mut. Life Ins. Co., 177 F.2d
404, 406 (3d Cir. 1949) (“It is generally the law that the place where a policy of insurance
is delivered shall be deemed to be the place where the contract was made”). “Issues relating
to performance of the agreement are resolved pursuant to the application of the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the contract was performed.” Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh,
Pa., 449 A.2d at 261 (citations omitted). In contrast, “[t]he modern approach indicates that
the laws of the jurisdiction which had the most significant relationship to the transaction
and parties would control the substantive legal questions.” Id. (citations omitted).
34
Reese, 2004 WL 1320900, at *2.
35
Certain Underwriters at Lloyds, London v. Chemtura Corp. [hereinafter “Chemtura”],
160 A.3d 457, 465 (Del. 2017).
36
D.I. 35, at 12-13.
9
rendered should govern disputes concerning its interpretation or effect.” 37 Sullivan
responds that “Richetti did not rule that the location of the divorce is a dispositive
factor,” but only that it is one factor in the conflict of laws analysis. 38 She argues
that Pennsylvania has a “stronger interest” in this instance and its law should
control. 39
In Richetti, the decedent agreed to make his ex-wife the beneficiary on his life
insurance policy in a settlement agreement that was incorporated into a divorce
decree entered by a Pennsylvania court.40 The decedent violated the court order by
changing his beneficiary designation. 41 He then moved to Delaware and, after his
death, the ex-wife did not receive the promised life insurance proceeds. 42 The
Richetti Court considered that the divorce decree and separation agreement were
negotiated, entered, and breached in Pennsylvania, and held that Pennsylvania law
governs because “the rights and duties of the parties affected by the actions in dispute
in this litigation bear a more significant relationship to Pennsylvania than to
Delaware.”43
37
1994 WL 18683, at *1 (Del. Ch. Jan. 5, 1994).
38
D.I. 39, at 14.
39
Id.40
Richetti, 1994 WL 18683, at *1.
41
Id.42
Id.43
Id.10
Unlike Richetti, here, the dispute does not concern the Decree’s effect or
interpretation. The Family Court entered the Decree but property settlement
(between Petitioner and Decedent’s estate) remains pending, and no obligations
regarding the Policies’ beneficiary designations, and no change in the parties’ rights
regarding the Policies, have been imposed by the Family Court. 44 The Proceeds are
not marital assets and their disposition is not a part of the divorce proceedings.45
44
Petitioner cites to a number of other states’ cases to show that the law of the state issuing
the divorce decree is applied “when courts grapple with its meaning and effect.” D.I. 41,
at 4. Those cases are distinguishable from the instant case because, in those cases, the law
applied was that of the state where the divorce occurred and rights related to a spouse’s life
insurance were transferred between the parties, either as specified in the divorce order (i.e.,
a court-imposed obligation that one ex-spouse maintain the other as designated beneficiary
on life insurance), or by law. See, e.g., Murphy v. Travelers Ins. Co., 534 F.2d 1155, 1160
(5th Cir. 1976) (applying California law in a Texas action because the ex-husband agreed
to make minor children life insurance beneficiaries as part of property settlement
incorporated into California divorce decree); Travelers Ins. Co. v. Fields, 451 F.2d 1292,
1295-97 (6th Cir. 1971) (applying Kentucky law because restoration-of-property order in
Kentucky divorce decree extinguished ex-wife as ex-husband’s life insurance beneficiary,
despite Ohio choice of law provision in policy); New England Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Spence,
104 F.2d 665, 666-67 (2d Cir. 1939) (applying Texas law in New York action because,
under Texas law, there was an involuntary transfer extinguishing ex-wife’s interest as
beneficiary in ex-husband’s life insurance upon divorce, even though life insurance was
not mentioned in divorce decree); Maddux v. Philadelphia Life Ins. Co., 77 F. Supp. 2d
1123, 1128 (S.D. Cal. 1999) (applying Oklahoma law in a California action over ex-
husband’s life insurance proceeds because the Oklahoma divorce judgment specifically
extinguished ex-wife’s rights in ex-husband’s property); Equitable Life Assur. Soc. of U.S.
v. Flaherty, 568 F. Supp. 610, 612-13 (S.D. Ala. 1983) (applying Florida law in an
Alabama action because ex-husband agreed to maintain life insurance for minor child as
part of a Florida divorce decree). Here, rights to Decedent’s life insurance were not
transferred through the Decree’s entry, and the Proceeds’ distribution was not effectuated
through the operation of the Decree.
45
See generally In re Estate of C.R.P., 2015 WL 3613561, at *5 (Del. Fam. June 9, 2015).
The parties do not dispute that the Proceeds are not marital assets. See D.I. 48, Arg. Tr.
68:10-69:17. Whether the value of Decedent’s and/or Petitioner’s life insurance policies
are marital assets is not at issue here. See generally In re Marriage of A.J.H., Jr., 2002 WL
11Because the Policies vested at Decedent’s death and the Proceeds were paid out, the
Family Court’s ability to direct continuation of life insurance beneficiary
designations ended. Like Richetti, it is appropriate for me to conduct a conflict of
laws inquiry under the Second Restatement and considering the facts in this case, to
determine whether Pennsylvania or Delaware has the more significant relationship
with the insurance and the parties.
Next, Petitioner argues that, under conflict of laws principles in Second
Restatement’s §188 and §192, Delaware law governs the disposition of the Proceeds.
He claims the MassMutual policies’ most significant relationship is with Delaware,
since Decedent was domiciled in Delaware at the time she applied for the
MassMutual policies and until shortly before her death, the MassMutual policies’
applications were taken and delivered in Delaware (place of contracting and place
of negotiation), and the premiums were paid in Delaware (place of performance).46
Further, Petitioner asserts that Delaware law governs the distribution of MetLife
proceeds under Comment h of §192 (“Comment h”), since MetLife group life
31454020, at *1 (Del. Fam. May 1, 2002); Tuminaro v. Tuminaro, 1999 WL 689260, at *2
(Del. Fam. Apr. 30, 1999); but see In re Marriage of Tweedale v. Tweedale, 1996 WL
861492, at *7 (Del. Fam. Dec. 17, 1996), aff’d, 703 A.2d 645 (Del. 1997) (Court found
husband’s life insurance policy was not marital property since marital contribution to the
policy was de minimus and husband was ordered to reimburse wife for her share of marital
contribution).
46
D.I. 35, at 15. Petitioner cited MassMutual’s determination that Delaware law governs
distribution of the Proceeds as evidence of Delaware’s significant contacts. Id., at 16.
12
insurance was issued to Decedent’s employer, the University of Delaware, which
has its principal place of business in Delaware. 47
Respondents contend that the “most significant relationship” test in the
Second Restatement favors applying Pennsylvania law for all Policies because of
that state’s strong policy interest in its revocation-on-divorce law, consistent with §6
and Comment d of §192 (“Comment d”), arguing that “if a person changes domicile
after obtaining a life insurance policy, the law of the new domicile should be applied
to determine whether an ex-husband’s beneficiary designation should be revoked.”48
They point to the United States Supreme Court opinion in Sveen v. Melin, to support
that proposition, alleging that the U.S. Supreme Court found that Minnesota’s
revocation-on-divorce statute did not impair freedom to contract, and “an insured
cannot reasonably rely on a beneficiary designation remaining in place after a
divorce.”49 Petitioner denies the applicability of Sveen, and argues that Comment
d’s exception pertaining to a new domicile’s revocation-upon-divorce law does not
apply. 50
47
Id., at 20-21 (citing Second Restatement §192, cmt. h (1971)).
48
D.I. 39, at 12-13. See also Second Restatement §192, cmt. d (1971).
49
D.I. 39, at 9-10 (citing Sveen v. Melin, 138 S. Ct. 1815, 1823 (2018)).
50
Petitioner asserts, unlike Sveen, this case does not involve a challenge to the validity of
Pennsylvania’s revocation-upon-divorce law. D.I. 41, at 8.
13
To determine the most significant relationship for the Policies, I evaluate
relevant contacts and factors under the first “layer of guidance” – §192; then, under
§188, the second “layer of guidance,” followed by the general considerations of §6.51
“The §188 factors and §192 presumption . . . are evaluated based on their relative
importance in the particular case and in light of the Second Restatement’s general
considerations found in §6.”52
Section 192 begins with the presumption for life insurance that the law of the
state governs where the insured was domiciled when she applied for the life
insurance.53 The presumption doesn’t apply, however, when another state has a
more significant relationship under §6. 54 Comment d gives examples of when the
most significant relationship changes and identifies the situation where an insured
51
See generally Chemtura, 160 A.3d 457, 465 (Del. 2017).
52
Id.; see also CNH Am., LLC v. Am. Cas. Co. of Reading, Pennsylvania, 2014 WL 626030,
at *7 (Del. Super. Jan. 6, 2014) (“[C]ontacts and factors . . . are not to be applied simply
by counting up the interests on each side, but rather ‘evaluated according to their relative
importance with respect to the particular issue.’”) (citations omitted).
53
Second Restatement §192 (1971). The presumption is applicable if there is no effective
choice of law provision in the insured’s application. Id. Petitioner offers the federal district
court’s holding in State Farm Life Ins. Co. v. Avila [hereinafter “Avila”] for the proposition
that §192 “relies exclusively on the domicile of the insured at the time he applied for the
policy in question.” D.I. 35, at 19, n. 62 (citing Avila, 331 F. Supp. 3d 860, 866 (S.D. Iowa
2018)). I decline to following the reasoning in Avila, which did not apply Comment d and
relied solely on the provision in Comment a of §192 addressing the effect of a divorce
between the insured and beneficiary and a change of beneficiary, which are not the issues
here. Avila, 331 F. Supp. 3d at 866. Further, Avila did not fully analyze the §6 factors,
since “neither party pleaded choice of law or offered related evidence.” Id., n. 3.
54
Second Restatement §192 (1971).
14
changes her domicile to another state and “has appointed [her spouse] as a
beneficiary.”55 In that situation, Comment d indicates the law of the new domicile
“might well be applied to determine whether the appointment of the [spouse] is
automatically revoked by divorce.” 56 Comment d states, however, that the law of
the insured’s new domicile would most likely not be applied if, by doing so, the
obligations of the insurance company would be substantially affected. 57
Here, Decedent had appointed her spouse as beneficiary of the Policies, then
was divorced in Delaware and changed her domicile to Pennsylvania. She died
unexpectedly shortly thereafter. This appears to be the situation that Comment d
refers to – meaning that Decedent’s new domicile’s law “might well be applied” to
determine whether the beneficiary designation is automatically revoked by divorce.
Unlike Delaware, Pennsylvania has a revocation-on-divorce law [“§6111.2”] that
provides, if an individual domiciled in Pennsylvania designated her spouse as
beneficiary on her life insurance policy and was divorced at the time of her death,
then that designation becomes ineffective and the ex-spouse is treated as if he
55
Id., cmt. d.
56
Id.
57
Id.
15
predeceased the individual.58 And, §6111.2 ensures that the obligations of the
insurance company are not affected.59
Next, I look at the second “layer of guidance,” or the “broader subject-matter-
specific factors” to use to determine which state has the most significant relationship
related to the MassMutual and MetLife insurance policies. The factors are identified
in the Second Restatement’s §188, and include: “(a) the place of contracting, (b) the
place of negotiation of the contract, (c) the place of performance, (d) the location of
the subject matter of the contract, and (e) the domicil[e], residence, nationality, place
of incorporation and place of business of the parties.” 60
Delaware was the place of contracting, negotiating, and performance of the
MassMutual and MetLife policies. Another §188 factor pertains to domicile,
residence, nationality, place of incorporation, and place of business of the parties,
and §188’s Comment references §192’s statement that “the domicil[e] of the insured
58
20 Pa.C.S.A. §6111.2.
59
Petitioner asserts that the “Pennsylvania law could be said to ‘substantially affect the
obligations of the insurance company,’ given the presumptive difference in payee.” D.I.
35, at 19, n. 62 (referencing Second Restatement §192, cmt. d (1971)). I find his assertion
unpersuasive. §6111.2 provides that an insurance company is not liable for paying an ex-
spouse if the payments “would have been proper in the absence of [§6111.2].” 20 Pa.C.S.A.
§6111.2(c)(1). In this case, MassMutual and MetLife have paid out the Proceeds to
Petitioner, have no remaining obligations under the Policies, and are not parties to this
action.
60
Chemtura, 160 A.3d 457, 465 (Del. 2017) (citing Second Restatement §188(2) (1971)).
§188 further provides that the laws of the state where the contract was negotiated and
performed will usually apply “except as otherwise provided in [§192].” Second
Restatement §188(3)(1971).
16
is a contact of particular importance in the case of life insurance contracts.”61
Recognizing that §188 and §192 factors are evaluated based upon their relative
importance to each issue, I conclude that the insured’s domicile has more relative
importance in this case. And, her domicile at the time of her death was Pennsylvania,
which has §6111.2 that automatically revokes beneficiary designations upon
divorce. The place of contracting (or where the policy was applied for or delivered)
is of lesser importance since the issue is not interpreting the contract but inclusion
of an implied term through public policy (i.e., the automatic revocation of life
insurance beneficiary designation upon divorce implemented by §6111.2). Since
Decedent was domiciled in Pennsylvania at the time of her death, Pennsylvania has
a much stronger policy interest in ensuring that the implied term is effectuated than
Delaware does. Further, the obligations of the insurance company are not affected
if Pennsylvania law governs in this instance. 62
In addition, I consider §6’s general choice of law principles that apply in this
case – needs of the interstate system, relevant policies and interests of the forum and
other interested states, protection of justified expectations, and certainty,
61
Second Restatement §188, cmt. on subsection (2) (1971). In addition, another §188
factor, the situs of the subject matter of the contract, is of more importance when the
contract “deals with a specific physical thing, such as land or a chattel.” Id. Since the
subject matter of a life insurance contract is the insured, that factor overlays with the §188
factor pertaining to domicile.
62
See n. 59 supra.
17
predictability and uniformity of result.63 Since there are not consistent revocation-
on-divorce policies among the states, the needs of the interstate system and the
values of certainty, predictability and uniformity of result, do not favor either
Delaware or Pennsylvania’s laws in this context. 64 And, as noted above,
Pennsylvania and Delaware have conflicting policies on the automatic revocation of
beneficiary designations upon divorce. Because Decedent was a Pennsylvania
domiciliary, I conclude Pennsylvania has demonstrated a stronger policy interest in
ensuring that her estate benefits from §6111.2.65 Further, Petitioner does not have
justified expectations that should be protected. He was not the owner of the Policies
63
Second Restatement §6 (1971). Other §6 considerations do not apply here. Specifically,
the factor pertaining to basic policies underlying the field of law at issue addresses
situations where the competing states’ policies have only minor differences, which is not
the case here; and the goal of keeping choice of law rules simple and easy to apply is “not
to be overemphasized,” and difficult to accomplish, given the complexity of this situation.
Id., cmt. on subsection (2).
64
Over one-half of the states have revocation-on-divorce statutes that provide for automatic
revocation of life insurance beneficiary designations upon divorce. See Andy Ives,
Revocation-on-Divorce – It Matters Where you Live (Nov. 28, 2018),
https://www.irahelp.com/slottreport/revocation-divorce-%E2%80%93-it-matters-where-
you-live (last visited on February 22, 2021).
65
By enacting §6111.2, Pennsylvania demonstrated its strong policy interest in offering
the automatic revocation of beneficiary designation upon divorce to all persons domiciled
in Pennsylvania. There is no evidence that Pennsylvania intended to limit §6111.2’s
applicability to a small portion of its domiciliaries, or those who had applied for life
insurance in Pennsylvania, as would occur if the law of the state where the insured applied
for the life insurance governs. In addition, §6111.2 does not limit its applicability to
persons who have been domiciled in Pennsylvania for some quantified period of time.
18
and, quoting the U.S. Supreme Court in Sveen v. Melin, “an insured cannot
reasonably rely on a beneficiary designation remaining in place after a divorce.”66
I recognize that the MassMutual policies have significant contacts with
Delaware, including as the state where Decedent applied for the MassMutual
individual life insurance policies. However, I find the strong countervailing
considerations set forth in Comment d (supporting the application of the revocation-
on-divorce law of Decedent’s new domicile), and the Second Restatement’s
guidance in total, override any presumption in favor of Delaware regarding the
MassMutual proceeds. Accordingly, Pennsylvania law governs the disposition of
the MassMutual proceeds and, based upon §6111.2, Petitioner is divested of his
beneficiary status for the MassMutual proceeds. He is not entitled to the
MassMutual proceeds, and shall pay restitution of the MassMutual proceeds to
Decedent’s estate, which is the rightful recipient pursuant to the MassMutual
policy.67
However, with regard to the MetLife group life insurance proceeds, there are
additional factors in Comment h that need to be considered. Comment h provides
66
Sveen v. Melin, 138 S. Ct. 1815, 1823 (2018). The Sveen case is not similar to this case,
since it involved a challenge to Minnesota’s revocation-on-divorce statute as violative of
the federal Contracts Clause for revoking the named beneficiary on a life insurance policy.
However, its analysis (and finding that Minnesota’s automatic revocation of life insurance
beneficiary designations upon divorce is unlikely to disturb the policy holder’s
expectations) is helpful. Id.67
See n. 7 supra.
19
that, unlike individual insurance policies, “the rights against the insurer [for group
life insurance policies] are usually governed by the law which governs the master
policy.”68 In the absence of an effective choice of law clause in the policy, typically,
the law of the state “where the employer has his principal place of business” will
apply to group life insurance contracts, and not the “law of the state where the
employee is domiciled and received [her] certificate.” 69 Comment h recognizes that
“it is desirable that each individual insured should enjoy the same privileges and
protection.”70
In determining that Pennsylvania law governs the disposition of MassMutual
proceeds, I am guided by Comment d’s support for applying the revocation-on-
divorce law of an insured’s new domicile, rather than the law from her former state.
68
Second Restatement §192, cmt. h (1971); see generally Belcher v. Metro. Life Ins. Co.,
943 F.2d 51 (6th Cir. 1991); Karpenski v. Am. Gen. Life Companies, LLC, 999 F. Supp. 2d
1235, 1242 (W.D. Wash. 2014) (citing Erickson v. Sentry Life Ins. Co., 719 P.2d 160, 162
(Wash. Ct. App. 1986)); Bradley v. Old Republic Life Ins. Co., 712 F. Supp. 90, 93 (S.D.
Miss. 1988); Fischer v. AMEX Life Assur. Co., 1992 WL 251388, at *2 (Minn. Ct. App.
Oct. 6, 1992) (“Even absent any contract stipulations, the large majority of the cases have
concluded that the laws of that state should apply in which the master policy was
delivered.”)(citation omitted); Miller v. Home Ins. Co., 605 S.W.2d 778, 780 (Mo. 1980).
69
Second Restatement §192, cmt. h (1971).
70
Id. Cf. Erickson, 719 P.2d at 162 (“By applying the law of the state where the master
policy was delivered, ‘everywhere it shall have the same meaning and give the same
protection and that inequalities and confusion liable to result from applications of diverse
state laws’ would be avoided.”) (citing Boseman v. Connecticut Gen. Life Ins. Co., 301
U.S. 196, 206 (1937)); Reger v. Nat’l Ass’n of Bedding Mfrs. Grp. Ins. Tr. Fund, 372
N.Y.S.2d 97, 114-15 (N.Y. App. Div. 1975) (“The Second Restatement on the Conflict of
Laws takes the position that uniformity in interpretation, construction and applicability is
desirable in all group insurance contracts where insureds reside in different states”).
20
I found the insured’s domicile, in that instance, is a key factor in determining the
state with the most significant relationship to the parties and the transaction related
to individual life insurance policies. The analysis differs for a group life insurance
policy, however, since group life insurance is issued to the insured’s employer, not
the individual insured. Comment h ties the governing law to the employer’s
principal place of business, in most instances, and not to the employee’s domicile,
to ensure that employees insured under a group policy are treated the same. 71 The
employee’s domicile is assigned less importance as a factor when a group life
insurance policy is involved. MetLife was a group life insurance policy issued to
Decedent’s employer, the University of Delaware, which is located in Delaware. I
find that MetLife’s status as a group life insurance policy alters the conflict of laws
analysis for the MetLife proceeds, tilting it in favor of Delaware for the governing
law, rather than Pennsylvania. Therefore, I conclude that Delaware law governs the
disposition of the MetLife proceeds. Under Delaware law, Petitioner is entitled to
receive the MetLife proceeds. “[I]f warranted, the law of one state may be found to
apply to some issues, while the law of another state may be found to apply to
others.”72 This is such an instance.
71
See Second Restatement §192, cmt. h (1971).
72
CNH Am., LLC v. Am. Cas. Co. of Reading, Pennsylvania, 2014 WL 626030, at *7 (Del.
Super. Jan. 6, 2014).
21
In conclusion, I recommend that the Court deny judgment to Petitioner, in
part, and declare that the MassMutual proceeds be paid to Decedent’s estate, as a
matter of law. I also recommend that the Court grant judgment to Petitioner, in part,
and declare that he is entitled to receive the MetLife proceeds as a matter of law.
B. Does Sullivan’s equitable claim survive the Motion?
Petitioner also asks for the dismissal of Sullivan’s equitable counterclaim
because of her failure to articulate a cognizable claim and reliance on conclusory
allegations concerning Decedent’s intent.73 Sullivan argues that she seeks, in effect,
to impose a resulting or constructive trust over the Proceeds because permitting
Petitioner to retain the Proceeds would be inequitable, and a party’s intent presents
a factual issue for trial. 74 In addition, Sullivan contends that a constructive trust
could be imposed since it is reasonably conceivable that Petitioner could be found
to have breached a fiduciary duty as Decedent’s insurance agent and financial
advisor. 75 Petitioner responds that Decedent’s intent is immaterial, the claim is not
well-pleaded, and he breached no fiduciary duty as her insurance agent.76
73
D.I. 35, at 22-25. The conflict of laws issue does not extend to the equitable claim, since
that claim centers around the parties’ relationship and any acts associated with that claim,
which occurred in Delaware. See generally Second Restatement §221 (1971); Hurst v. Gen.
Dynamics Corp., 583 A.2d 1334, 1338 (Del. Ch. 1990).
74
D.I. 39, at 16-18.
75
Id., at 19.
76
D.I. 35, at 23-25.
22
To survive a motion for judgment on the pleadings, the non-movant is
accorded the same benefits as they would have defending a motion to dismiss under
Rule 12(b)(6). 77 Here, Sullivan must have provided sufficient notice of the basis of
her claim and alleged sufficient facts to support her inference that it would be
inequitable for Petitioner to retain the Proceeds, so that the remedy of either a
resulting or constructive trust could be imposed. She is given the benefit of all
reasonable inferences.
“A resulting trust arises from the presumed intentions of the parties and upon
the circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.”78 Those circumstances
show that “the beneficial interest was not intended to follow the legal title.” 79 The
court considers two main factors when deciding whether to impose a resulting trust:
(1) that consideration was paid, typically for real estate but also for acquisitions of
personality, and (2) the intent of the person who paid the consideration. 80 The
payment of the consideration “must be part of the original transaction of purchase
and not pursuant to any subsequent agreement between the parties.” 81
77
McMillan v. Intercargo Corp., 768 A.2d 492, 500 (Del. Ch. 2000); see also Raymond L.
Hammond Irrevocable Tr. Agreement, 2016 WL 359088, at *3 (Del. Ch. Jan. 28, 2016).
78
Adams v. Jankouskas, 452 A.2d 148, 152 (Del. 1982); see also Hudak v. Procek, 727
A.2d 841, 843 (Del. 1999).
79
Quill v. Malizia, 2005 WL 578975, at *8 (Del. Ch. Mar. 4, 2005).
80
Wagner v. Hendry, 2000 WL 238009, at *6 (Del. Ch. Feb. 23, 2000); Adams, 452 A.2d
at 152.
81
Wagner, 2000 WL 238009, at *6 (citations omitted).
23
A constructive trust is not based on the parties’ intent, but may be imposed
“when a [party’s] fraudulent, unfair or unconscionable conduct causes him to be
unjustly enriched at the expense of another to whom he owed some duty.”82 In those
situations, equity impresses “a constructive trust upon the property in favor of the
one who is in good conscience entitled to it, and who is considered in equity as the
beneficial owner.”83 The person seeking to impose a resulting or constructive trust
has the burden of proof and “must establish [its] entitlement to relief by clear and
convincing evidence.” 84
First, I consider whether Sullivan has alleged sufficient facts to support the
inference that equity would impose a resulting trust upon the Proceeds because the
beneficial interest in the Proceeds is held by someone other than the person who is
legally entitled to the Proceeds. 85 Here, viewing the facts pleaded and the inferences
drawn from those facts in a light most favorable to Sullivan, I presume Decedent
paid for the premiums on her Policies. Since she was the insured and policy owner,
82
Adams, 452 A.2d at 152; see also Quill, 2005 WL 578975, at *8; Elliott v. Holladay,
2003 WL 1240497, at *5 (Del. Ch. Mar. 7, 2003).
83
Adams, 452 A.2d at 152, n. 4 (citation omitted).
84
Wagner, 2000 WL 238009, at *6 (Del. Ch. Feb. 23, 2000); see also Blue Rock Liquors,
Inc. v. Reilly, 1994 WL 698622, at *3 (Del. Ch. Nov. 28, 1994).
85
In the context of life insurance, a resulting trust might arise where a party other than the
insured pays for life insurance and the evidence and circumstances surrounding the
purchase of the life insurance show that the party who paid for the insurance intended to
keep the beneficial interest in the insurance. See, e.g., Blue Rock Liquors, Inc. v. Reilly,
1994 WL 698622, at *4.
24
she held both the beneficial interest and the legal title in the Policies and designated
the beneficiaries on the Policies. Sullivan seeks a resulting trust over the Proceeds
because she alleges Decedent intended to change her beneficiary designation, and
circumstances, including her misunderstanding about altering those designations
while a divorce was pending and her untimely death, prevented her from doing so.
The beneficiary designations on the Policies were clear and unambiguous and courts
may not interpret insurance documents that are not ambiguous. 86 Sullivan fails to
allege facts to support the inference that Decedent intended to change her
beneficiaries on the Policies, or that she took any steps to comply with the Policies’
requirements for changing beneficiaries.87 Sullivan’s conclusory allegations lack
sufficient factual support to infer that Decedent intended to change her beneficiaries
or that different persons hold beneficial interest and legal title in the Proceeds.
Accordingly, I find there are no reasonably inferable facts under which Sullivan can
prevail on her equitable claim to support the imposition of a resulting trust.88
86
In re Estate of Willin, 1996 WL 757214, at *2 (Del. Ch. Dec. 9, 1996).
87
D.I. 17, ¶¶ 77-78. The Policies state that a written request is required to change the
insured’s beneficiaries. D.I. 35, Ex. 3, at 89; Ex. 5, at 5. See Shuttleworth v. Abramo, 1992
WL 25756, at *3 (Del. Ch. Feb. 6, 1992) (“As a matter of law, a court would have given
[someone other than the beneficiary designated in the policy] the proceeds of [the] policy
only if [it had been proven] by clear and convincing evidence that [the insured] had
substantially complied with the policy’s requirements for changing the beneficiary.”); see
generally Travelers Life & Annuity Co. v. Desderio, 2007 WL 2063035, at *2 (Del. Ch.
July 3, 2007).
88
Sullivan argues that the question of the parties’ intent cannot be resolved on a motion to
dismiss, citing Am. Tower Corp. v. Unity Commc’ns, Inc., 2010 WL 1077850, at *2 (Del.
25
Sullivan also argues that a constructive trust should be imposed on the
Proceeds because Petitioner had a fiduciary duty to Decedent as her insurance agent
and financial advisor to advise her that she could change her beneficiary designations
on the Policies during the divorce, failed to do so and, as a consequence, Petitioner
was unjustly enriched. 89 Sullivan has not provided a sufficient factual basis to infer
that Petitioner’s conduct was fraudulent, unfair or unconscionable, or that he had a
duty, as Decedent’s insurance agent and financial advisor, to tell her about the
possibility of changing her life insurance beneficiary designations while their
divorce was pending. It is undisputed that Petitioner removed Decedent as his life
insurance beneficiary before he filed for divorce. 90
It is possible that insurance agents may be found liable for negligence based
upon the premise that a definite relationship exists between the parties and that
relationship is “of such a character that social policy justifies the imposition of a
Super. Mar. 8, 2010), and SPX Corp. v. Garda USA, Inc., 2012 WL 6841398, at *3-4 (Del.
Super. Dec. 6, 2012). I find those cases inapposite to this case. Those cases focused on
whether the contracts at issue were continuous or severable, considering the parties’ intent,
because the nature of the contract determined the accrual date and when the statute of
limitations would begin to run. In contrast, here, the issue of Decedent’s intent relates to
the beneficiary designations on her life insurance policies, but those designations were
unambiguous and cannot be interpreted.
89
D.I. 17, ¶ 77; D.I. 39, at 16.
90
D.I. 21, ¶ 77.
26
duty to act.”91 One instance is when, under certain circumstances, an insurance agent
fails to act on a life insurance application within a reasonable time. 92 And, courts
have considered whether the agent failed, through his own fault or neglect, to obtain
insurance for the applicant.93 Even if Petitioner was Decedent’s insurance agent,
there are not sufficient facts pleaded to reasonably infer that Petitioner failed to act
when he had a duty to do so, or that it was through his fault or neglect that she didn’t
know her beneficiary designations could have been altered during the divorce. I find
there are no reasonably inferable facts under which Sullivan can prevail on her
equitable claim seeking to impose a constructive trust.
Accordingly, I recommend the Court dismiss Sullivan’s equitable
counterclaim, since it states only conclusory allegations unsupported by facts and
fails as a matter of law.
IV. Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, I recommend Petitioner’s motion for judgment
on the pleadings be granted, in part, and denied, in part. 94 I recommend that the
91
Sciarra v. Minnesota Mut. Life Ins. Co., 1979 WL 193317, at *2 (Del. Super. Apr. 6,
1979).
92
Megee v. U. S. Fid. & Guar. Co., 391 A.2d 189, 192 (Del. 1978); Pohorily v. Kennedy,
269 A.2d 240 (Del. Super. 1970).
93
Sciarra, 1979 WL 193317, at *3.
94
With Petitioner’s concession that Decedent had changed her domicile to Pennsylvania
by the time of her death, the issues regarding Decedent’s domicile at her death, and the
27
Court deny Petitioner’s motion for judgment on the pleadings, in part, and declare
that Petitioner is not entitled to the proceeds from Decedent’s two individual
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company policies, as a matter of law, and
order him to pay those proceeds to Decedent’s estate. I also recommend that the
Court grant judgment for Petitioner, in part, and declare that Petitioner is entitled to
receive the proceeds from the University of Delaware group life insurance policy
through Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, as a matter of law. Further, I
recommend the Court dismiss Sullivan’s equitable counterclaim. This is a final
report and exceptions may be taken pursuant to Court of Chancery Rule 144.
proper jurisdiction for administration of her estate, are no longer in dispute and Petitioner’s
claims related to those issues are dismissed.
28