American General Life Insurance v. Carpenter

MEMORANDUM **

American General Life Insurance Company, Inc., appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment to Roger N. Carpenter, Peter Charles Carpenter and Denise M. Carpenter1 (collectively “the Carpenters”). We reverse and remand.

American General paid the proceeds of a life insurance policy to the decedent’s widow, Cristina Carpenter, the designated beneficiary. Under California law, that payment fully discharged American General, unless it had written notice of an adverse interest before it made the payment. See Cal. Ins.Code § 10172; Blethen v. Pac. Mut. Life Ins. Co., 198 Cal.…