Security Benefit Life Insurance Company v. Phifer et al
| Security Benefit Life Insurance Company |
| Bonnie Phifer and Michael Leon Bowery |
| Bonnie Phifer and Michael Leon Bowery |
| Michael Leon Bowery and Bonnie Phifer |
| 4:2026cv00211 |
| February 27, 2026 |
| U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas |
| Amos L Mazzant |
| Insurance |
| 28 U.S.C. § 1332 Diversity-Interpleader Action |
| Defendant |
Docket Report
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This docket was last retrieved on August 14, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.
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Filing 28
ORDER granting #15 MOTION to Dismiss Counterclaim MOTION to Deposit Funds. It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED as follows: 1. Michael Leon Bowery's Counterclaim against Security Benefit is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE; 2. Within twenty (20) business days after the entry of this Order, Security Benefit shall deposit the proceeds into the Court's registry; 3. Upon Security Benefit's deposit of the Interpleader Funds into the Registry of the Court as described above in Paragraph 2, Security Benefit shall be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE from this action. Signed by Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant on 8/14/2026. (rpc)
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| Filing 27 REPORT of Mediation Mediation result: settled(rpc) |
| Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn: Mediation Conference held on 8/11/2026 from 02:58 - 03:04 PM. Parties stated the settlement on the record. Transcript SEALED No exhibits. (Court Reporter - Digital Recording)(CRD: T Piper) (ttp) |
| Filing 26 NOTICE of Agreed Order by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company re #15 MOTION to Dismiss Counterclaim MOTION to Deposit Funds and Dismiss (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A, #2 Proposed Order)(Alonso, Gabriella) |
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Filing 25
ORDER GRANTING INTERVENOR PLAINTIFF'S REQUEST FOR DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE. The Clerk is directed to TERMINATE Aspida Life Insurance Company as a party to this case. Signed by Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant on 7/14/2026. (rpc)
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| Filing 24 NOTICE OF COMPLIANCE by Aspida Life Insurance Company re #22 Order, and Request for Dismissal with Prejudice (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Soltero, Carlos) |
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Filing 23
ORDER SETTING MEDIATION. Mediation Conference set for 8/11/2026 at 01:30 PM in Ctrm 6 (Beaumont) or remotely before Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn. Signed by Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on 7/3/2026. (rpc)
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| Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant: Telephone Conference held regarding discovery disputes on 6/12/2026 from 9:00 a.m. - 9:08 a.m. Court orders parties to move deposition to July 1st and RFP deadline for production to June 25th. Attorney Appearances: Plaintiff - Gabriella Alonso; Defense - Michael Young, Spencer Benson, Richard Lottmann, Carlos Soltero. No exhibits. ( Digital Recording) (kkc) |
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Filing 22
ORDER granting #19 Stipulation for Intervenor's Deposit of Insurance Policy Proceeds Less Attorneys' Fees, Discharge of Liability, Injunctive Relief, and Dismissal with Prejudice. Signed by Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant on 6/10/2026. (rpc)
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Filing 21
ORDER REFERRING CASE TO MEDIATION. The Court hereby ORDERS that this case be submitted to mediation in accordance with this court's Mediation Plan. The Court appoints U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn to mediate the case. Signed by Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant on 6/10/2026. (rpc)
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Filing 20
SCHEDULING ORDER: Final Pretrial Conference set for 3/4/2027 at 09:00 AM in Ctrm 208 (Sherman) before Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant. Amended Pleadings due by 8/13/2026. Discovery due by 11/6/2026. Joinder of Parties due by 7/2/2026. Jury instructions due by 2/18/2027. Mediation Completion due by 8/29/2026. Motions due by 8/27/2026. Proposed Pretrial Order due by 2/2/2027. Signed by Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant on 6/10/2026. (rpc)
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| NOTICE of Hearing: Telephone Conference to address a discovery dispute set for Friday 6/12/2026 at 9:00 AM before Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant. Attorneys are instructed to call the Conference Number at 8:55 AM: (571) 353-2301; Call ID: 172598549, followed by #. (No attachment) (tls) |
| Filing 19 UNOPPOSED STIPULATION of Dismissal with Prejducie, Deposit of Insurance Policy Proceeds Less Attorneys' Fees, Discharge of Liability, and Injunctive Relief by Aspida Life Insurance Company. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Soltero, Carlos) |
| Pending the Court's review of the Parties' Joint Report of Attorney Conference, the Court hereby CANCELS the May 21, 2026 Scheduling Conference (no attachment). (tls) |
| Filing 18 JOINT REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting. (Young, James) (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/13/2026: #1 Proposed Order) (rpc). |
| Filing 17 Fed. R. Civ. P. 7.1(a)(1) Disclosure Statement filed by Aspida Life Insurance Company identifying Corporate Parent Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES), Corporate Parent Aspida Holdings, LLC for Aspida Life Insurance Company. (Soltero, Carlos) |
| Filing 16 ANSWER to #13 Complaint, by Bonnie Phifer.(Young, James) |
| Filing 15 MOTION to Dismiss Counterclaim, MOTION to Deposit Funds and Dismiss by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Alonso, Gabriella) |
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Filing 14
ORDER GOVERNING PROCEEDINGS: Rule 26 Meeting Report due by 5/12/2026. Rule 16 Management Conference set for 5/21/2026 at 09:15 AM via Zoom or telephone (Sherman) before Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant. Signed by Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant on 4/7/2026. (rpc)
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| Filing 13 COMPLAINT in Interpleader against Michael Leon Bowery, Bonnie Phifer ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ATXEDC-11467709.), filed by Aspida Life Insurance Company. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit 1, #2 Exhibit 2, #3 Exhibit 3, #4 Exhibit 4)(Soltero, Carlos) |
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Filing 12
ORDER granting #11 Motion to Intervene. Aspida Life Insurance Company is directed to file its Complaint in Interpleader without delay. Signed by Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant on 4/7/2026. (rpc)
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| Filing 11 UNOPPOSED MOTION to Intervene by Aspida Life Insurance Company. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit Ex. 1 - Complaint in Interpleader, #2 Proposed Order Granting Motion to Intervene)(Soltero, Carlos) |
| Filing 10 DEFENDANT MICHAEL LEON BOWERY'S ANSWER to #1 Complaint, , CROSSCLAIM against Bonnie Phifer, COUNTERCLAIM against Security Benefit Life Insurance Company by Michael Leon Bowery.(Lottmann, Staton) |
| Filing 9 Defendant Bonnie Phifer ANSWER to #1 Complaint, , CROSSCLAIM against Michael Leon Bowery by Bonnie Phifer.(Young, James) |
| Filing 8 Summons returned executed by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. Michael Leon Bowery served on 2/28/2026. (Alonso, Gabriella) |
| Filing 7 WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. Bonnie Phifer waiver sent on 2/27/2026, answer due 4/28/2026. (Alonso, Gabriella) |
| Filing 6 Summons issued as to Michael Leon Bowery. (rpc) |
| Filing 5 Summons issued as to Bonnie Phifer. (rpc) |
| Filing 4 Fed. R. Civ. P. 7.1(a)(1) AND (2) Disclosure Statement filed by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company identifying Corporate Parent Security Benefit Corporation, Corporate Parent Eldridge Industries, LLC, Corporate Parent Eldridge SBC Holdings, LLC, Corporate Parent SBL Holdings, Inc. for Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. (Alonso, Gabriella) |
| Filing 3 Request for Clerk to issue Summons to Bowery filed by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. (Alonso, Gabriella) |
| Filing 2 Request for Clerk to issue Summons to Phifer filed by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. (Alonso, Gabriella) |
| Filing 1 COMPLAINT in Interpleader against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ATXEDC-11394498.), filed by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A - Application, #2 Exhibit B - Contract, #3 Exhibit C - Change Form, #4 Exhibit D - 12/29/2025 Letter, #5 Exhibit E - Proof of Death Form, #6 Civil Cover Sheet)(Alonso, Gabriella) |
| Case assigned to Chief District Judge Amos L Mazzant. (rpc) |
| Case: Security Benefit Life Insurance Company v. Phifer et al was filed on 2/27/2026 and assigned to Judge Mazzant. The # Notice Regarding Consent to Proceed Before Magistrate Judge form is provided via hyperlink. (rpc) |
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