AETNA LIFE INSURANCE v. Wadsworth

This interpleader action involves a dispute between decedent Lawrence Wadsworth's first wife and his wife at the time of his death over the proceeds of a group term life insurance policy. The dissolution decree between the decedent and his first wife purported to transfer all of her interests in all life insurance policies on the decedent's life to him. The first wife, however, remained the named beneficiary of the term insurance at the time of his death.

This action raises two issues. First, what is the proper characterization under our community property law of the group term life insurance…