Ruth Iola Hoffman v. United States of America, and Pearl L. Lechner

Appellant, Ruth Iola Hoffman, appeals from the judgment entered by the district court, awarding to appellee, Pearl L. Lechner, the proceeds of two National Life Insurance policies.

The material facts are not in dispute. Frank Hoffman, while a Major in the United States Army, purchased the policies in 1950 and 1951, naming as beneficiary his then wife, Ruth Iola Hoffman.

In 1962, Major Hoffman filed suit for divorce against appellant in the Superior Court of the State of Washington, in and for King County. In that suit he also requested a division of the community property. The divorce was granted and the court in its divorce decree entered in March, 1963, stated:

On August 23, 1963, Major Hoffman executed a change of beneficiary for each policy, designating Pearl L. Lechner as principal beneficiary under both policies.

In 1964, Major Hoffman died, with the above policies in full force and effect.

Following the death of Major Hoffman, appellant filed with the Veterans Administration a claim to the proceeds of said policies as the designated beneficiary of record. A claim for said proceeds was also filed with the Veterans Administration by appellee, Pearl L. Lechner, as the…