Miscevic v. Estate of M.M.

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Anka has a history of serious mental illness, including paranoid delusions, and has received mental health treatment. Anka killed her husband, Zeljko. The couple's child, M., was 13. The trial judge determined that the state established each element of first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt but that Anka established by clear and convincing evidence that she was insane at the time of the offense and found Anka not guilty by reason of insanity. Zeljko had worked as a union laborer and earned a vested pension; when a married participant dies before the benefit commences, the participant’s spouse receives a monthly annuity payable for the spouse’s life. Where the deceased does not have a surviving spouse, the individual’s minor child receives a monthly benefit until the child reaches age 21. After Zeljko’s death, both Anka and M. sought to recover Zeljko’s pension benefits. Neither the Fund’s documents nor the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. 1001–1461, address whether a claimant who killed the participant can receive a benefit. The Illinois Probate Act’s “slayer statute,” provides that “[a] person who intentionally and unjustifiably causes the death of another shall not receive any property ... by reason of the death,” 755 ILCS 5/2‐6. The district court granted M.M. judgment on the pleadings. The Seventh Circuit affirmed. ERISA does not preempt the Illinois slayer statute, which bars even those found not guilty by reason of insanity from recovering from the deceased. View "Miscevic v. Estate of M.M." on Justia Law