Opinion
October 5, 1990
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Onondaga County, Miller, J.
Present — Denman, J.P., Boomer, Pine, Balio and Lawton, JJ.
Order insofar as appealed from unanimously reversed on the law without costs and cross motion granted. Memorandum: The court erred in denying plaintiff's cross motion for summary judgment seeking the proceeds of a $20,000 life insurance policy issued by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Plaintiff and the insured were divorced in 1978, and the insured thereafter married defendant, who also claimed entitlement to the policy proceeds. Because Aetna paid the policy proceeds into court, the policy requirements concerning change of beneficiary were waived and the intent of the insured, based on equitable considerations, controls (see, Cable v. Prudential Ins. Co., 89 A.D.2d 636; Considine v Considine, 255 App. Div. 876). That intent must be demonstrated by proof of affirmative acts to effectuate the change (see, Hunnell v. Hunnell, 45 A.D.2d 521, affd 37 N.Y.2d 931). The only proof of intent offered by defendant was the insured's alleged statement to her that he had provided for her and the children "in his insurance policy." Because defendant failed to offer any proof of an affirmative act by the insured to change his beneficiary, the court should have granted plaintiff's cross motion (see, Hunnell v. Hunnell, supra; cf., Cable v. Prudential Ins. Co., supra; Considine v. Considine, supra).