Jane Deselle Bruce v. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance

GARWOOD, Circuit Judge:

In this Louisiana diversity case, plaintiff-appellant Jane Deselle Bruce (Jane Bruce) appeals the district court’s denial of her summary judgment motion and its granting that of defendant-appellee Hartford Life & Casualty Company (Hartford). We reverse and remand.

Facts and Proceedings Below

Jane Bruce seeks to recover on Hartford’s insurance policy for benefits allegedly payable to her thereunder on account of the death of Ted Matthew Bruce (Ted Bruce).

Jane Bruce and Ted Bruce were married on April 4, 1981. On September 10, 1984, Jane Bruce filed a petition for divorce…