Norris v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Bill in equity against an insurance company established by law in this Commonwealth, Susan S. S. Bowser, widow of William L. Bowser, and their four minor children.
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Bill in equity against an insurance company established by law in this Commonwealth, Susan S. S. Bowser, widow of William L. Bowser, and their four minor children. The case was heard, upon bill and answers, by 'Morton, J., and was reserved for the consideration of the full court as follows: William L. Bowser in his lifetime had obtained a policy of insurance from the company on his life, payable to him, his executors, administrators or assigns, but expressed to be for the benefit of Susan S. S. Bowser, his wife, and the amount of which was due and payable, and was ready to be paid her by the…
1Opinion of the CourtGray, C. J.
The policy obtained by the husband on his own life, being expressed to be for the benefit of his wife, is by the Gen. Sts. c. 58, § 62, to “ enure to her separate use and benefit and that of her children, independently of her husband or his creditors.” The effect of this statute is to declare that a policy expressed to be for the benefit of a married woman shall be her separate property, which she may transmit to her children, and which shall be independent of her husband or his creditors, but which, so long as she lives, is hers absolutely. The statute contains no clause to exempt this…
2Cases cited7 opinions
- Osborn v. Bank of United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1824
- Gould v. EmersonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1868
- Knickerbocker Life Insurance v. WeitzMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1868
- Phœnix Insurance v. AbbottMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1879
- Unity Mutual Life Assurance Ass'n v. DuganMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1875
2 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by16 opinions
- Rosenthal v. MaletzMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1948
- York v. FlahertyMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1911
- Burr v. CommonwealthMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1912
- Canterbury v. Northwestern Mutual Life InsuranceWisconsin Supreme Court · 1905
- Estate of BreitungWisconsin Supreme Court · 1890
11 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.