Opinion
21-12393
10-21-2022
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, v. ROSHANA ADAMS and ERIC ROBINSON, Defendants.
George Caram Steeh, District Judge.
ORDER GRANTING ROBINSON'S REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL TIME TO FILE CROSS CLAIM (ECF NO. 24) AND THIRD AMENDED SCHEDULING ORDER
Kimberly G. Altman, United States Magistrate Judge.
This is an interpleader action. Plaintiff Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Met Life) filed this action to resolve claims to life insurance proceeds related to Seafred Robinson (decedent) in the amount of $15,066. Decedent was an employee of Ford Motor Company and a participant in the Ford Motor Company Group Life Disability Insurance Program (Plan), which is an ERISA governed employee welfare benefit plan. Met Life is the administrator of the Plan and deposited the proceeds with the Court.
Two parties, Roshana Adams and Eric Robinson, proceeding pro se, each claim that they are entitled to the plan benefits based on different designation of beneficiary forms. Robinson now requests an extension of time to file his cross claim. (ECF No. 24).
Robinson's filing refers to a “Cross Claim hearing scheduled October 24, 2022.” (ECF No. 24, PageID.440). However, no hearing has been set at this time. A cross claim is simply a document that Robinson must file in which he explains why he is entitled to the proceeds of his father's employee benefit plan.
For the reasons stated in Robinson's motion, the Court finds that there is good cause to grant a 30-day extension for Robinson to file his cross claim. The Court shall extend the other pertinent dates in this matter by 30 days as well. The new deadlines are as follows:
Deadline for Robinson to submit crossclaim setting forth basis for his claim to the plan benefits:
November 23, 2022
Witness lists due:
December 14, 2022
Discovery cutoff:
January 18, 2023
Dispositive motions due:
February 16, 2023
There is a clinic at the courthouse available to assist pro se parties. Information about the clinic is available at:
http://www.mied.uscourts.gov/PDFFiles/ProSeClinic2019.pdf.
Representatives at the clinic may be able to assist Adams and Robinson in presenting their claims.
There will be no further extensions absent a showing of good cause.