Mayberry v. Kathan

BAZELON, Circuit Judge.

Appellant, daughter and administratrix of the estate of Ray Richards, sued to recover $3200 paid to appellee Kathan, Richards’ former wife, as the designated beneficiary of death benefits payable under a collective bargaining agreement with the Hearst Corporation, his employer. The designation, made during the period when appellee Kathan and Richards were married, was not changed after their divorce, though he had the right to do so. Appellant claims, however, that appellee waived her interest as beneficiary by virtue of a property settlement executed prior to divorce,…