Starbuck v. City Bank and Trust Co.

This suit was brought by Mary Jane Starbuck to determine her right to the proceeds of an insurance policy on the life of her son, John Starbuck. At the time of her son’s death, such insurance contract designated “Peggy L. Starbuck, wife”, as the primary beneficiary and his mother as the contingent beneficiary. The current conflicting claims to the proceeds, however, are between the mother of John Starbuck and his estate. The wife is not involved in this dispute because shortly before John Starbuck’s death the marriage was terminated by divorce. The judgment of divorce specifically excluded…