Summary
The court grants Banner Life Insurance Company’s motion for default judgment in an interpleader action concerning $500,000 in life-insurance proceeds. The court concludes that Maria Moore, who was convicted of murdering the insured, and Marcus Moore, her son and contingent beneficiary, are barred under California law from claiming the proceeds.
Court
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Jurisdiction
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Decision date
August 14, 2025
Docket number
25-cv-00845-RS
Disposition
other
Questions Presented
- Whether the Court had subject-matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, and adequate service before entering default judgment.
- Whether the seven Eitel factors supported entry of default judgment against Maria Moore and Marcus Moore.
- Whether California law barred Maria Moore, as the convicted killer of the insured, from receiving the life-insurance benefits.
- Whether California law also barred Marcus Moore, the convicted beneficiary's son and contingent beneficiary, from receiving the policy proceeds.
Holdings
- The Court had diversity subject-matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction over the action, and service on Maria Moore and Marcus Moore was adequate.
- Default judgment was warranted against Maria Moore and Marcus Moore under the seven Eitel factors.
- Maria Moore was not entitled to any benefit under the policy because California law bars a named beneficiary who feloniously and intentionally kills the person whose life is insured.
- Marcus Moore was barred from claiming the policy proceeds as the relative and contingent beneficiary of the beneficiary who murdered the insured.
Court Document
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