Opinion ID: 2273826
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Statements of Gary's Intention and Belief

Text: Mary Jane argues that the trial court erred in allowing Ronda to testify about what she heard Gary tell a Primerica representative in the August 1996 telephone conversation. She also argues that it was error to allow Ronda to present testimony from five other witnesses about what Gary had told them about Ronda being the beneficiary of his life insurance. She argues that this evidence, especially that from the five other witnesses, was irrelevant and was unfairly prejudicial. [1] She seeks a new trial that excludes this testimony. The sole issue presented to the jury was whether Gary had changed his life insurance policy in a way that named Ronda as the beneficiary. The jury was instructed as follows: The parties do not dispute that Gary Newman Watson and Primerica Life Insurance Company entered into an insurance contract. The parties do not dispute that Primerica Life Insurance Company issued a contract of insurance which insured the life of Gary Watson for $100,000.00. The initial policy named Mary [Jane] Watson as beneficiary. Ronda Gale Watson contends Gary Watson changed the contract of insurance to name her as the beneficiary. Ronda Gale Watson has the burden of proving, pursuant to Arkansas law, that the insurance contract was changed to her name as the beneficiary. You are instructed that the law of the State of Arkansas is that an insured must substantially comply with the provisions of a life insurance policy pertaining to a change of beneficiary, and that when an insured does everything within his power to make a change of beneficiary pursuant to the terms of the policy, a change of beneficiary is presumed. Mary Jane argues that because the only issue for the jury to consider was whether Gary did everything in his power to change the beneficiary from her to Ronda, testimony as to his intention and belief was not relevant. We disagree. We note at the outset that trial courts are accorded wide discretion in evidentiary rulings, and we will not reverse such rulings absent a manifest abuse of that discretion. Mays v. St. Pat Properties, LLC, 357 Ark. 482, 182 S.W.3d 84 (2004); Barker v. Clark, 343 Ark. 8, 33 S.W.3d 476 (2000); Jackson v. Buchman, 338 Ark. 467, 996 S.W.2d 30 (1999). Hearsay is defined as a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Ark. R. Evid. 801(c). As a rule, hearsay is not admissible except as provided in our rules of evidence. See Ark. R. Evid. 802. Exceptions to this rule are found in Ark. R. Evid. 803 and 804. The exception found in Rule 803(3) is applicable in this case and provides: Then Existing Mental, Emotional, or Physical Condition. A statement of the declarant's then existing state of mind, emotion, sensation, or physical condition, such as intent, plan, motive, design, mental feeling, pain, and bodily health, but not including a statement of memory or belief to prove the fact remembered or believed unless it relates to the execution, revocation, identification, or terms of declarant's will. Under Rule 803(3), a declarant's statement that he or she intends to do something in the future is admissible to prove the truth of the matter asserted. See Wyles v. State, 357 Ark. 530, 182 S.W.3d 142 (2004); Nicholson v. State, 319 Ark. 566, 892 S.W.2d 507 (1995). Gary's statement to Ronda, Well, I guess I need to change the beneficiary on my policy, since I'm going to keep you, falls squarely within this exception, as it reflected Gary's intention to change the policy. Similarly, the statement that Gary made to his stepson, Chris Bargiel, that he was buying insurance and that Ronda would be the beneficiary, falls within this exception. The trial court did not err in allowing testimony about these statements. Nor did the trial court err in allowing Ronda to testify about Gary's conversation to a Primerica representative, in which she heard Gary tell the representative that he was divorced and remarried, and that he needed to change the beneficiary on his policy, as well as the spouse rider and child rider. This statement manifested Gary's intent to change the beneficiary on his policy and was therefore admissible under the hearsay exception found in Rule 803(3). Moreover, this statement was highly relevant to the issue whether Gary had done everything in his power to change the beneficiary on his policy. Finally, the testimony given by Velton Fulton, Marvin Hughes, Thelma Hare, and Judy Monday, regarding statements that Gary made to them that Ronda would have the proceeds of his life insurance to pay off the debts of his business, was also admissible under Rule 803(3). These statements evidenced Gary's belief that Ronda was the beneficiary of his life insurance policy and his intention that she be entitled to the proceeds of that policy. Generally speaking, statements of a declarant's belief are not admissible under Rule 803(3), unless the statements relate to the execution, revocation, identification, or terms of the declarant's will. This court has recognized that provisions in life insurance contracts with reference to beneficiaries or changes in beneficiaries are in the nature of a last will and testament and, therefore, are construed in accordance with the rules applicable to the construction of wills. See American Found. Life Ins. Co. v. Wampler, 254 Ark. 983, 986, 497 S.W.2d 656, 658 (1973). As such, the testimony from the foregoing witnesses was properly admitted by the trial court under Rule 803(3). We thus affirm Mary Jane's appeal.