A Newark federal judge has awarded legal fees to John Hancock Insurance Co. and to Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. in connection with a battle over a $3.4 million payout from life insurance policies taken out on the late conservative activist and attorney Phyllis Schlafly. But the underlying dispute between her children and followers appears far from resolution.

Schlafly, known for her opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment, died at age 92 in 2016. Since then, a battle has been waged for control of the organization she founded, Eagle Forum, which is listed as beneficiary on the policies.