Ætna Nat. Bank v. United States Life Ins.

24 F. 770 | U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Southern New York | 1885

Wheeler, J.

The policies in this case upon the life of the husband were originally made for the benefit of, and payable to, the wife. According to the bill the premiums were paid from the property of the husband in fraud of the rights of his creditors, who bring this bill. If this is all true, the amount due on the policy does not represent the property of the husband, nor any part of his estate, beyond the amount of the premium^. The insurance was upon her interest in his life, not the creditors’ interest in his life, and the amount due represents her interest, and, beyond the amount of the premiums, is hers. An amount equal to the amount of the premiums may represent so much of his estate, and in equity belong to his creditors. They may ultimately, by these proceedings, reach that amount, but there appears to be no fair ground on which they can reach more.

Motion granted for an injunction to restrain payment of so much of policies as equals in amount the premiums paid thereon, with interest, and stay of proceedings vacated as to residue.