William P. Gray, as of the Will of William G. Robertson, Deceased v. United States

OPINION

Before LEWIS, Chief Judge, and McWILLIAMS and DOYLE, Circuit Judges. * McWILLIAMS, Circuit Judge.

The question here to be resolved is whether the trial court erred in holding that the proceeds of a life insurance policy on decedent’s life, which were paid to the decedent’s former wife in accordance with the terms of a pre-existing property settlement agreement, were deductible from decedent’s gross estate under Section 2053(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as a claim against the estate. We conclude that the trial court did err, and the matter is remanded for further proceedings.

W…