Studley v. Studley

Wanda Studley, the plaintiff below, appeals a summary judgment which determined that her nine-year-old daughter Holly was not entitled to certain life insurance proceeds payable upon the death of the child’s father. The plaintiff’s appeal is well-taken.

The plaintiff divorced John Raymond Studley on April 14, 1975. At that time it is undisputed that Studley carried a contributory group life insurance policy with his employer Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (“Merrill, Lynch”) as well as a $10,000 Metropolitan policy on his life.

The divorce journal contained the following directives…