Sonnenstein v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance

Opinion by

Jacobs, J.,

The issue presented by this appeal is whether a party to a transaction can avoid that transaction because of the undue influence of a third person. We find that even if the undue influence of a third person has been proven by the appellee, she cannot avoid the transaction because the appellant, the other party to the transaction, had promised in good faith something of value before it knew of the undue influence.

Appellee, Harriet Sonnenstein [hereafter called the “wife”], was the owner and beneficiary of an insurance policy on the life of her husband. Appellant,…