Wissner v. Wissner

Major Wissner, while separated from his wife (plaintiff) and California-domiciled, took out a federal National Service Life Insurance policy, paid for with his army pay, and named his parents (defendants) as beneficiaries; he died in service in 1945, and his mother received the proceeds. Mrs. Wissner sued, claiming half the proceeds under California's community-property law, since the premiums were paid with what state law deemed community funds; the California courts agreed and ordered the parents to pay her half.

Whether federally enacted legislation supersedes state community-property law.