What is the name of your state? OHIO
My father died in 02/08 and left my sister and I the beneficiaries on his group life insurance policy from work. His wife lied to us about his desire to change the beneficiary to her and claimed it was a clerical error by his employer and that the insurance company had told them both it had been fixed. Before realizing the extent of her lies and greed, we had considered giving her part or all of the money. But, after doing our own research we feel that he wanted us to have the money and sent in the claim forms. After hearing nothing from the insurance company, I called to find that they are not processing the claim yet because she has hired an attorney and is contesting the payment. All the company told me was that they were waiting for information from the attorney and that when they received it they would send out a letter recommending a settlement or probate court if one was not reached. She was listed as the beneficiary of the will and her attorney has sent us the waiver of notice form for the will to file with probate court. I thought that wills and insurance beneficiaries are separate so she wouldn't be able to contest the payment. Do I need to take action at this point or will the situation eventually resolve? He was terminally ill, but was newly diagnosed when he changed his will and did not change the life insurance at that point when I know he had clear mental function. The beneficary form he completed was from 12/2005 after they were living together but before they married. But, when he added her to his health insurance in 2006, he did not change the designation. Any information about this subject would be appreciated.
My father died in 02/08 and left my sister and I the beneficiaries on his group life insurance policy from work. His wife lied to us about his desire to change the beneficiary to her and claimed it was a clerical error by his employer and that the insurance company had told them both it had been fixed. Before realizing the extent of her lies and greed, we had considered giving her part or all of the money. But, after doing our own research we feel that he wanted us to have the money and sent in the claim forms. After hearing nothing from the insurance company, I called to find that they are not processing the claim yet because she has hired an attorney and is contesting the payment. All the company told me was that they were waiting for information from the attorney and that when they received it they would send out a letter recommending a settlement or probate court if one was not reached. She was listed as the beneficiary of the will and her attorney has sent us the waiver of notice form for the will to file with probate court. I thought that wills and insurance beneficiaries are separate so she wouldn't be able to contest the payment. Do I need to take action at this point or will the situation eventually resolve? He was terminally ill, but was newly diagnosed when he changed his will and did not change the life insurance at that point when I know he had clear mental function. The beneficary form he completed was from 12/2005 after they were living together but before they married. But, when he added her to his health insurance in 2006, he did not change the designation. Any information about this subject would be appreciated.