I recieved a Death Claim Payment on my fathers paid up life insurance policy. There is no designated beneficiary listed on the certificate and the check is made payable to "The estate of my father." I cannot cash it and the insurance company tells me i have to open an estate with the courts? Whats up with that? My fathers been dead for 4 years, and I am the sole survivor. The payment of benefits on the back of the certificate clearly reads if no beneficiary is designated payment will be made to the spouse, then children etc. etc.