Boyd v. Heckler
Juanita Boyd appealed the termination of her Widow’s Insurance Benefits, provided under the Social Security Act. Her benefits were awarded in December 1977, but were later terminated following an application by Jeanette T. Monroe, who claimed to be Edward Boyd's first and valid wife. The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) determined that Juanita Boyd was not entitled to benefits, awarding them instead to Jeanette Monroe, based on New York law concerning the presumption of marriage validity. The court affirmed the Secretary's decision, finding that the evidence supported the invalidity of the second marriage due to its short duration, lack of children, and the persuasive testimony and evidence from the first wife and her daughter indicating no divorce.