UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

LIFE PRODUCT CLEARING LLC v. LINDA ANGEL, Personal Representative of the Estate of Leon Lobel

LINDA ANGEL, Personal Representative of the Estate of Leon Lobel, v. LEON LOBEL INSURANCE TRUST and JONATHAN S. BERCK, as Trustee of the Leon Lobel Insurance Trust

07 Civ. 475 (DC)

OPINION

CHIN, D.J.

On November 15, 2005, Leon Lobel --a retired butcher who was then seventy-seven years old --established the Leon Lobel Insurance Trust (the "Trust") , naming himself as the "Initial Beneficiary." The same day, he applied for a $10 million l~e insurance policy (the "Policy") , designating the Trust as the sole beneficiary. The premium for the Policy for the first year alone was $572,000, an amount Lobel could not afford. The Policy was issued on December 14, 2005.

Six days later, Lobel sold his interest in the Trust -- and thus the right to any insurance proceeds upon his death -- to plaintiff Life Product Clearing LLC ("LPC") for $300,000. Lobel received payment of that amount on January 5, 2006. Five days later, he died. After a year-long investigation, the insurance company paid the face value of the Policy plus interest -- $10,712,328.77-- to the Trust.

In this case, LPC sues Lobel's daughter, Linda Angel, the personal representative of Lobel's estate, for a declaration that LPC is the rightful beneficiary of the Trust. Angel asserts counterclaims against LPC and third-party claims against the Trust and its Trustee, Jonathan S. Berck, contending that Lobel's transfer of his interest in the Trust to LPC was void as against public policy. In essence, Angel argues that the transaction involved an impermissible "wager policy" -- she maintains that LPC, a stranger to her father, gambled on his life, wagering $300,000 that he would die sooner rather than later. In fact, the "wager" turned out to be extraordinarily successful because Lobel died within days, and LPC stands to earn more than $10.7 million from its $300,000 investment.

Before the Court is a motion for judgment on the pleadings filed by LPC, the Trust, and Berck. Arguing that the material facts are undisputed, they contend that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law declaring that Lobel's procurement of the Policy and subsequent sale of his beneficial interest in the Trust to LPC were legally valid and binding transactions, and that LPC is entitled to enforce its beneficial interest in the Trust.

The Policy is an example of a recent development in the life insurance industry that has "bloomed into a new and very controversial cottage industry": the acquisition of life insurance by an insured -- usually an elderly person -- for sale to a third party. J. Alan Jensen & Stephan R. Leimberg, Stranger-Owned Life Insurance: A Point/Counterpoint Discussion, 33 ACTEC J. 110, 110 (Fall 2007). Often pejoratively termed "stranger-owned life insurance policies," these policies enable the insured to obtain ready cash by selling his policy to a stranger whose only interest in the insured is his early demise.

These policies are lawful only if the insured purchases the policy with a good-faith intent to obtain insurance for the benefit of his family, loved one, or business; they are not lawful if the insured purchases the policy with the intent to resell it to a stranger at the earliest possible moment. Because I conclude that Angel has alleged enough facts to state a claim that is plausible on its face -- that Lobel obtained the Policy with the prior intent to transfer it to a stranger with no "insurable interest" in his life -- the motion for judgment on the pleadings in LPC's favor is denied.

BACKGROUND

A. Facts

For purposes of this motion, the facts as alleged in Angel's answer and counterclaims are assumed to be true. Certain additional facts are drawn from documents referred to in the pleadings and submitted with the motion papers.

1. Lobel

Lobel was the co-owner of Lobel's Butcher Shop in New York City. (CC 58).1 He eventually retired to Florida, where he was a full-time resident in 2005. (Id. 59). He turned seventy-seven years old on August 11, 2005. (PX 8).²

2. The Opportunity

During 2005, Joel Miller, an insurance agent for Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York ("Lincoln Life"), made Lobel aware of a financial opportunity whereby he could receive an immediate, substantial cash payment by taking out a life insurance policy on himself for the benefit of an investor who was a stranger to him. Because the investor would pay all the premiums, there was virtually no cost to him. (CC 59, 61,67).

Several steps were required. First, Lobel would apply for a large life insurance policy for the benefit of a trust in his name. (Id. 62). Simultaneously, he would establish an irrevocable trust to own the policy. (Id.). Lobel would pay only a $1,000 fee to establish the trust. (Id. 60). The trust would initially be for Lobel's benefit, but when the policy was issued to the trust, Lobel would immediately sell his beneficial interest in the trust to the investor in exchange for an immediate cash payment. (Id. 60, 62). The investor would pay all the policy premiums and maintain the policy, and receive all the proceeds when Lobel died. (Id. 59, 62).

The proposal contemplated that neither Lobel nor his family would ever own the policy or have a beneficial interest in it, nor would Lobel have the realistic option to retain the policy for his own use. (Id. 60, 63). Lobel would never pay any premiums himself, nor would he receive financing from the investor to pay the premiums. (Id.).

Lobel had no personal desire to obtain a life insurance policy for the benefit of his family or as part of an estate planning decision, and he could not afford one even if he so desired. (See id. 39, 40, 52; see also Def. Mem. at 3 n.2).3. He was attracted to the plan solely because of the promise of quick cash. (CC 52).

3. The Trust

On November 15, 2005, Lobel executed a Trust Agreement naming himself as "Depositor" and "Initial Beneficiary" and Hudson United Bank (the "Bank") as Trustee.4 (Id. 66). The Trust Agreement mentioned LPC, the investor, by name and indicated a possible future transfer of the Policy to LPC. (PX 7, § 2.4(c)). Lobel had no input into the terms of the Trust. (CC 68). Rather, the Trust Agreement was prepared by counsel for LPC. (Id.). The signatures on the Trust Agreement were not executed in the presence of two witnesses who signed the Trust instrument. (Id. 69).

Prior to establishing the Trust, Lobel did not have a relationship with the Bank. (Id. 67). He was first introduced to the Bank by insurance agents Stephen Lockwood and/or Joel Miller, both of whom worked for Lincoln Life. (Id.). The Bank's office in New York is located in the same office building as Lockwood and LPC's offices. (PX 7, § 5.9(b); PX 9 (Lockwood); PX 11 (LPC)). The introduction was made for the a sole purpose of appointing an officer of the Bank as Trustee of the Trust. (CC 67).

4. The Policy

Also on November 15, 2005, Lobel signed an application for a $10 million life insurance policy with Lincoln Life. (Id. 65, 71). His signature was witnessed by Joel Miller. (PX 8, app. at 3). The final page of the application indicated that the insurance agents for the Policy were Joel Miller and Steven Lockwood and the page was signed only by them. (Id. app. at 5). A space was provided on the page for the agents to indicate the answer to the following question: "Does the client intend to use the policy for any type of viatical settlement, senior settlement, life settlement or for any other secondary market?" The question was left unanswered. (Id.).

The Policy's "Policy Specifications" page stated that the minimum initial premium due on or before the date of issue of December 14, 2005 to commence coverage under the Policy was $31,872.16. (Id. at 3). There is no indication that Lobel ever paid this or any other premium. Lincoln Life issued the Policy on December 14, 2005 with the Trust as owner and beneficiary. (CC 72; PX 8). Lobel never received a copy of the Policy. (CC 73).

On December 16, 2005, Lockwood notified Lobel by letter that Lincoln Life had agreed to issue the Policy. (Id. 74). Lockwood's letter noted that the first year's premium would be $572,000 and that subsequent premiums through the age of 88 would be $373,786 annually. (Id.).

Lockwood's letter also stated, "As discussed, if you do not wish to retain this policy for your estate planning needs, an investment group . . . has indicated to me that they [sic] would purchase your beneficial interest in the Trust for $300,000." (PX 9 at 1; CC 75). In reality, from the outset, Lobel did not intend to retain the Policy, but rather always intended to sell the Policy to the investor for a large cash payout. (CC 75). The identity of the investor -- LPC -- was known to all parties well in advance of the December 16, 2005 letter. (Id.).

The letter also enclosed two forms for Lobel to sign: one entitled "Beneficial Interest Transfer Agreement" and another entitled "Acknowledgments and Consents Relating to Sale of Beneficial Interest." (Id. 74; PX 9). These forms provided for the immediate single payment of $300,000 by LPC to Lobel. (CC 77; PX 9). They also allowed for Lobel to transfer the beneficial interest in the Policy and the obligation to pay premiums from the Trust to LPC. (CC 74). The Transfer Agreement also provided that the beneficial interest in the Trust was "further assignable and saleable" by LPC. (Id. 78).

The "Acknowledgments and Consents Relating to Sale of Beneficial Interest" indicated that "[a]fter reviewing several alternatives for maintaining the Policy and paying the premium, Leon has determined that the sale of the Beneficial Interest to the Purchaser for the Cash Consideration is in his best interest and in the best interest of his family." (PX 9). It also stated that "Leon acknowledges that he has had sufficient time to thoroughly analyze and discuss the strategy of selling his Beneficial Interest in the Trust to the Purchaser." (Id.).

On December 20, 2005, Lobel signed both documents immediately upon receipt and returned them to Lockwood, resulting in the sale of his beneficial interest in the Trust to LPC. (CC 76). Therefore, there was at most a period of a few days when Lobel was the beneficiary of the Trust. (Id. 79). On January 4, 2006, Lockwood sent Robert Desch of the Bank Lobel's $1,000 check dated December 20, 2005 for deposit in the Trust to "be applied toward the next insurance premium that will be due." (PX 12). Lobel never actually paid any premiums on the Policy. (CC 5 LPC amended its complaint on February 13, 2007 only to correct the name of the personal representative of Lobel's estate. (PX 1 1). (CC 79). On January 5, 2006, Lobel received a $300,000 payment from LPC enclosed with a letter from Lockwood. (Id. 81).

5. Lobel's Death

Only five days later, on January 10, 2006, Lobel died. (Id. 82). LPC filed a claim under the Policy. (Id. 83). Lincoln Life refused to provide copy of the Policy to Lobel's family after his death. (Id. 73). In total, LPC paid only one quarter of the first year's Policy premiums (the sum of $149,000) which represented the minimum amount required by Lincoln Life to be paid for the Policy to go into effect. (Id. 80). After a year-long inquiry, Lincoln Life paid the death benefit to the Trust on January 17, 2007 --$10,712,328.77, reflecting the face value of the Policy plus interest. (Id. 84).

B. Procedural History

On January 22, 2007, LPC filed the instant action, seeking a declaration that it and not Lobel's estate is entitled to the corpus of the Trust. Specifically, LPC seeks a declaration that the Beneficial Interest Transfer Agreement by which Lobel sold his ownership of the beneficial interest in the Trust to LPC is valid and binding, LPC acquired ownership of the beneficial interest in the Trust, and, consequently, Lobel's estate has no right, title, interest, or colorable recourse in the Trust. ⁵

Angel filed her answer and counterclaims on March 12, 2007, and then filed a third-party complaint against the Trust and Trustee on March 13, 2007, seeking a declaration that the Trust is void and that Lobel's estate is entitled to recover the death benefits paid under the Policy. Angel does not seek to have the Policy voided -- rather, she asserts that the appropriate remedy is the disgorgement of the death benefits by the Trust to the Estate. On April 20, 2007, LPC answered the counterclaims and the Trust and Trustee answered the third-party complaint, asserting third-party counterclaims seeking the same relief as sought by LPC in its amended complaint. Angel filed her reply on May 14, 2007. This motion followed.

DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review

A motion for judgment on the pleadings under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(c) is analyzed under the same standard as a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). See Sheppard v. Beerman, 18 F.3d 147, 150 (2d Cir. 1994). On a motion for judgment on the pleadings, in determining whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, the court must accept the factual allegations of the nonmoving party as true and draw all reasonable inferences in her favor. Bernheim v. Litt, 79 F.3d 318, 321 (2d Cir. 1996); see Erickson v. Pardus, 127 S. Ct. 2197, 2199 (2007) (per curiam); Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 127 S. Ct. 1955, 1965 (2007).

In its recent decision in Bell Atlantic Corp., the Supreme Court announced the "retirement" of the oft-quoted "no set of facts" language from Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-47 (1957), adopting in its place a "plausibility" requirement. Bell Atl. Corp., 127 S. Ct. at 1969. As interpreted by the Second Circuit, Bell Atlantic Corp. did not announce a "universal standard of heightened fact pleading, but . . . instead requir[es] a flexible 'plausibility standard,' which obligates a pleader to amplify a claim with some factual allegations in those contexts where such amplification is needed to render the claim plausible." Iqbal v. Hasty, 490 F.3d 143, 157-58 (2d Cir. 2007). The question is whether the pleading alleges "'enough facts to state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face.'" Patane v. Clark, 508 F.3d 106, 111-12 (2d Cir. 2007) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp., 127 S. Ct. at 1974).

In deciding a motion for judgment on the pleadings, a court may consider the pleadings and attached exhibits, statements, or documents incorporated by reference, and matters subject to judicial notice. See Prentice v. Apfel, 11 F. Supp. 2d 420, 424 (S.D.N.Y. 1998) (citing Brass v. Am. Film Techs., Inc., 987 F.2d 142, 150 (2d Cir. 1993)). "'[B]ald contentions, unsupported characterizations, and legal conclusions are not well-pleaded allegations'" and will not defeat the motion. Gavish v. Revlon, Inc., No. 00 Civ. 7291 (SHS), 2004 WL 2210269, at *10 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2004) (quoting Citibank, N.A. v. Itochu Int'l, Inc., No. 01 Civ. 6007 (GBD), 2003 WL 1797847, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 4, 2003)).

Cases that hinge on an issue relating to state of mind should generally not be disposed of summarily. See Yiamouyiannis v. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc., 619 F.2d 932, 939 (2d Cir. 1980) (proof calling into question a party's state of mind "does not readily lend itself to summary disposition"); Niroomand v. Erie County Med. Ctr., No. 97 Civ. 0021E(H), 1996 WL 328183, at *4 (W.D.N.Y. June 04, 1996) ("Allegations of falsity, malice and intent have been properly pled and any determination of the existence vel non of such factors is not appropriate on a motion to dismiss."); Rockland County Sheriff's Deputies Ass'n v. Grant, 670 F. Supp. 566, 568 (S.D.N.Y. 1987) (claims that "typically turn on issues of fact concerning good faith or intent . . . [are] usually unsuited for summary judgment").

B. Was Lobel's Transfer of his Trust Interest to LPC Invalid Because LPC Lacked an Insurable Interest?

1. Applicable Law

The law has long shown a disdain for "wager" insurance policies -- life insurance contracts that are "a mere wager, by which the party taking the policy is directly interested in the early death of the assured." Warnock v. Davis, 104 U.S. 775, 779 (1881). In Grigsby v. Russell, Justice Holmes explained the rationale for this concern: A contract of insurance upon a life in which the [policy owner] has no interest is a pure wager that gives the [policy owner] a sinister counter interest in having the life come to an end. And although that counter interest always exists, . . . the chance that in some cases it may prove a sufficient motive for crime is greatly enhanced if the whole world of the unscrupulous are free to bet on what life they choose. 222 U.S. 149, 154-55 (1911).

The "insurable interest rule" operates to prevent the issuance of "wager" life insurance policies. This principle is well-rooted in New York statutory law. New York Insurance Law §3205(b)(2) provides: No person shall procure or cause to be procured, directly or by assignment or otherwise any contract of insurance upon the person of another unless the benefits under such contract are payable to the person insured or his personal representatives, or to a person having, at the time when such contract is made, an insurable interest in the person insured. N.Y. Ins. Law § 3205(b)(2) (McKinney 2006) (emphasis added). New York Insurance Law § 3205(a)(1) defines the term "insurable interest" as: (A) in the case of persons closely related by blood or by law, a substantial interest engendered by love and affection; (B) in the case of other persons, a lawful and substantial economic interest in the continued life, health or bodily safety of the person insured, as distinguished from an interest which would arise only by, or would be enhanced in value by, the death, disablement or injury of the insured. N.Y. Ins. Law § 3205(a)(1).

Federal and New York courts have continuously criticized attempts to evade the insurable interest rule. As early as 1881, in Warnock v. Davis, the Supreme Court addressed attempts to transfer policies to those without an insurable interest. In Warnock, the insured applied for a life insurance policy and simultaneously agreed to assign most of his interest to an association that had no insurable interest in him; the day the policy was issued the insured assigned it to the association. The Court concluded, in dicta, that the insured's agreement to assign was invalid because the association lacked an insurable interest in his life. Id. at 779-80.

In Grigsby v. Russell, the Supreme Court overruled the dicta in Warnock, concluding that an assignment is not automatically condemned when the assignee lacks an insurable interest, so long as there is no prior agreement to assign. 222 U.S. at 156-57. The Grigsby Court drew the distinction that "cases in which a person having an interest lends himself to one without any, as a cloak to what is, in its inception, a wager, have no similarity to those where an honest contract is sold in good faith." Id. at 156. Hence, the Court held that while the lack of an insurable interest in the insured on the part of the assignee was not a bar to subsequent assignment, there must be an insurable interest in the first instance, as well as a good-faith intent to obtain insurance for the benefit of one's family or business. Id. at 156-57. The Court reiterated that "[t]he very meaning of an insurable interest is an interest in having the life continue." Id. at 155.

The insurable interest rule, therefore, no longer uniformly prevents the transfer of a life insurance policy from the insured to a beneficiary who does not have an insurable interest. New York Insurance Law § 3205(b)(1) reflects this change:

Any person of lawful age may on his own
initiative procure or effect a contract of
insurance upon his own person for the benefit
of any person, firm, association or
corporation. Nothing herein shall be deemed
to prohibit the immediate transfer or
assignment of a contract so procured or
effectuated.

N.Y. Ins. Law § 3205(b)(1) (emphasis added).

Only one who obtains a life insurance policy on himself "on his own initiative" and in good faith -- that is, with a genuine intent to obtain insurance protection for a family member, loved one, or business partner, rather than an intent to disguise what would otherwise be a gambling transaction by a stranger on his life -- may freely assign the policy to one who does not have an insurable interest in him. See Hota v. Camaj, 750 N.Y.S.2d 119 (2d Dep't 2002); Wells v. Squires, 102 N.Y.S. 597 (1st Dep't 1907). In applying the Grigsby ruling, the court in Travelers Insurance Co. v. Reiziz, 13 F. Supp. 819, 820 (E.D.N.Y. 1935), concluded:

[A]n assignment of a life insurance policy,
when not made by the insured in bad faith and
with the intention that the assignment is to
be used as a mere cover for a wager policy,
is not against public policy and is
sanctioned. . . . It is undoubtedly true
that, if the policy was taken out by the
parties with a view to its immediate
assignment, the transaction would be nothing
more than a mere subterfuge to avoid the
well-settled rule that a party cannot procure
insurance upon the life of one in whom he has
no insurable interest. The authorities do
not conflict upon this point. But obviously
the question whether the insured lent himself
to one without an insurable interest in his
life as a cloak to a gambling transaction
(Grigsby v. Russell, supra) is not a question
of law, but rather is a question of fact.

See also Steinback v. Diepenbrock, 158 N.Y. 24, 31 (N.Y. 1899) ("The insured, instead of taking out a policy payable to a person having no insurable interest in his life, can take it out to himself and at once assign it to such person. But such an attempt would not prove successful, for a policy issued and assigned, under such circumstances, would be none the less a wagering policy because of the form of it."). For a court to assess whether a policy was procured "with a view to its immediate assignment," it considers the intent of the insured who transfers the policy at the time the policy is procured. See Finnie v. Walker, 257 F. 698, 701 (2d Cir. 1919) (non-contemporaneous assignment of policy held invalid because "wagering intent" was established by fact assignee knew that insured was ill and potential payout was large); Steinback, 158 N.Y. at 31 ("The intention of the parties procuring the policy would determine its character, which the courts would unhesitatingly declare in accordance with the facts, reading the policy and the assignment together, as forming part of one transaction."). Courts consider factors such as whether the insured paid premiums and the length of time the insured held the policy before assigning it when deciding whether an arrangement is simply a sham transaction designed to evade the insurable interest rule or a genuine, good-faith assignment. See id. at 24 (noting that insured waited five years to transfer policy, paid premiums regularly for five years, and became pressed for money and sold to assignee for little more than he would have received to surrender policy).⁶

The Office of General Counsel has issued opinions on behalf of the New York State Insurance Department applying these principles. Most recently, on December 19, 2005, the Office issued an opinion that clarified the statutory prohibition against wager policies. The opinion addressed one form of "free" insurance arrangement: a transaction where a third-party bank lends money to an older individual who uses the money to purchase a life insurance policy. The individual pays premiums under the agreement that gives the insured a put option to sell the policy to a third party on a pre-determined exercise date at least two years from the date of the loan. The opinion declared this arrangement impermissible because "it appears that the arrangement is intended to facilitate the procurement of policies solely for resale." The opinion also noted that the ability of the insured to immediately transfer a policy, "irrespective of the existence of an insurable interest in the assignee," does not permit procurement of a policy "solely as a speculative investment for the ultimate benefit of a disinterested third party. Such activity . . . is contrary to the long established public policy against 'gaming' through life insurance purchases."⁷

2. Application

LPC concedes that it never had an insurable interest in Lobel. Accordingly, the motion must be denied if Angel sufficiently pleads that Lobel did not procure the Policy "on his own initiative" and that instead the transactions were designed "as a cloak to what [was], in its inception, a wager" by LPC on Lobel's life. See N.Y. Ins. Law § 3205(b). Angel pleads exactly this. The counterclaims allege, explicitly or implicitly, the following facts, which must be assumed to be true at this stage of the litigation: