Jefferson Pilot Life Ins. Co. v. Gum

Toal, Justice:

This interpleader action was brought by Jefferson Pilot Life Insurance Co. (Jefferson Pilot) against Bettye S. Gum and Loretta Gum to determine the ownership of life insurance proceeds. The trial court granted Bettye’s motion for summary judgment on the grounds that Loretta’s claim was barred by laches and that the portion of the divorce decree Loretta was trying to enforce was null and void. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.

FACTS

In 1952, Roy F. Gum married Loretta Gum. In 1965, Jefferson Pilot issued a group insurance policy under its Employee Welfare Benefit Plan…