Terry Denise Velez v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and Hilda Tolson

WILLIAM E. DOYLE, Circuit Judge.

This case involves a dispute over the proper beneficiary of an insurance policy on the life of Pedro Velez, who died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds on July 6, 1981. Pedro’s wife, Terry Velez, was named the original beneficiary of the policy. Pedro later executed a new form, naming his sister, Hilda Tolson, as beneficiary. Terry brought this action to challenge Hilda’s claim to the proceeds of the policy, on the grounds that Pedro was mentally incompetent when he executed the second form.

Jurisdiction arises under 28 U.S.C. § 1332. The Metropolitan Life…