Opinion ID: 4183805
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Devin Waddell’s Declaration

Text: Devin Waddell submitted his own written declaration, stating that he found the new change-of-beneficiary forms in his father’s papers after his death. Also included among those papers was an unsigned copy of Lanier Waddell’s Last Will and Testament (the “Will”) and a signed original copy of The Lanier Gene Waddell Revocable Living Trust (the “RLT”). The Will passed Lanier Waddell’s assets through the RLT. Devin Waddell and Leisa Michelle Hardage (a woman Lanier Waddell had considered and treated as his daughter) were the named beneficiaries of the RLT. Devin Waddell stated that he never found his father’s original Will. Devin Waddell admitted to contacting MetLife in early January 2014 “to inquire about the insurance policies” and sought the assistance of attorney Morris when MetLife “refused to disclose to [Devin] the benefit amounts or beneficiaries 11 Case: 16-15321 Date Filed: 07/06/2017 Page: 12 of 20 of the policies.” Devin Waddell states in his declaration that his father’s intention to name him sole beneficiary under the Plans was evidenced by his “having obtained the necessary forms from MetLife, filled them out completely, and signed them prior to his death.” In addition, Devin Waddell pointed to three sets of facts in further support of his father’s intentions. First, Ann Waddell had more than $91,000 available to her in the year after her husband’s death “from a structured settlement annuity” funded from multiple sources. Second, following a sale of Lanier Waddell’s house in May 2015, Ann Waddell received $67,508.84 for her one-half interest in the house. Third, Devin Waddell stated that, after payment of his father’s creditors, last expenses, and attorneys’ fees, he expected to inherit nothing from his father’s estate.