Case ID: f-appx_542/html/0574-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Devon Larie ORR, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Michelle ORR, natural guardian and/or Conservator for and on behalf of Z.O., a minor child, Defendant-Appellee.
    No. 12-35560.
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    Submitted Oct. 9, 2013.
    
    Filed Oct. 15, 2013.
    Allen B. Ellis, Alan Morton, Esquire, Ellis, Brown & Sheils, Boise, ID, for Plaintiff-Appellant.
    David M. Penny, Matthew B. Schels-trate, Cosho Humphrey, LLP, Boise, ID, for Defendant-Appellee.
    Before: GRABER and MURGUIA, Circuit Judges, and BURY, District Judge.
    
    
      
       The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
    
    
      
       The Honorable David C. Bury, District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, sitting by designation.
    
   MEMORANDUM

Devon Orr, the widow of John Orr, appeals from the district court’s grant of summary judgment to Michelle Orr, in her capacity as a representative of John’s minor son Z.O. Devon had brought a state law claim for half of the proceeds of John’s ERISA regulated life insurance policy. We affirm the district court.

At the time of John’s death, Z.O. was designated the sole beneficiary of his policy. Devon argues that Idaho community property law entitles her to one half of the policy proceeds, and she seeks to have a constructive trust imposed over her purported share. However, to the extent that Idaho law might have granted Devon a right to any part of the policy proceeds, that right is preempted by ERISA. 29 U.S.C. § 1144(a).

“[A] state law constructive trust cannot be used to contravene the dictates of ERISA.” Carmona v. Carmona, 603 F.3d 1041, 1061 (9th Cir.2010); accord St. Julian v. St. Julian, 472 Fed.Appx. 698, 699 (9th Cir.2012) (unpublished) (“[T]his court has clearly held that the preemption provision of ERISA precludes the imposition of a constructive trust upon the proceeds.”). Devon’s asserted interest in the policy proceeds “directly conflicts with ERISA’s requirements that plans be administered, and benefits be paid, in accordance with plan documents.” Egelhoff v. Egelhoff ex rel. Breiner, 532 U.S. 141, 150, 121 S.Ct. 1322, 149 L.Ed.2d 264 (2001). “It does not matter that [Devon seeks] to enforce [her] rights only after the [policy proceeds] have been distributed since [her] asserted rights are based on the theory that [she] had an interest in the undistributed ... benefits.” Boggs v. Boggs, 520 U.S. 833, 854, 117 S.Ct. 1754, 138 L.Ed.2d 45 (1997). The district court correctly granted summary judgment to Michelle Orr.

AFFIRMED. 
      
       This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
     
      
      . Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1461.