35 A. 942 | N.H. | 1893
It is claimed that Black's designation of his second wife as beneficiary is not effectual, because it was not consented *538 to and recorded, as required by a by-law of the association, before his death.
The association's promise to pay the sum named in the certificate of membership to some one, either a designated beneficiary or the member's next of kin, is absolute. It also gives the member authority to choose and from time to time to change his beneficiary, provided the person appointed is a relative of or a dependent upon him. This feature distinguishes the contract from ordinary contracts of life insurance. March v. American Legion of Honor,
One purpose of the by-law was to secure to the association reliable evidence of every change in beneficiaries, so that it would know to whom it was liable upon the death of a member, and be protected, to some extent at least, from litigation by adverse claimants. Anthony v. Association,
Case discharged.
BLODGETT, J., did not sit: the others concurred.