In re the Estate of Balthazar

George Frankenthaler, S.

The public administrator instituted this discovery proceeding to compel the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company to deliver the proceeds of decedent’s life insurance policy to his estate. Respondent first sought to dismiss the petition on the ground that the designated beneficiary of the “ group insurance certificate ” had not been made a party. Assuming that the necessary joinder could be effected (see Surrogate’s Ct. Act, § 205; Civ. Prac. Act, § 286, subd. 2), respondent’s second contention, that this court lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter, requires…