life insurance & estate

[illermay26]

What is the name of your state? California

My grandfather passed away suddenly while living at our house. He was in the process of changing everything to our name. He had a few life insurance policies that he had his sister as a beneficiary. He had a ticket to fly to New Jersey to pick up the insurance papers he had at a friends house to change them to our name. He did not make it. We heard that since he left his entire estate to us, we might be able to claim the life insurance. Is that true? The last thing his sister told him is that she didn't want to talk to him anymore. We do not believe that she deserves the money (since she hasn't even spoken to him in almost a year). Do we have a valid case to get the life insurance? PLEASE HELP

 

[ALawyer]

Unfortunately for you, the issue is not who "deserves" the money -- the issue is who is legally entitled to the money.

Until he had signed (and on some policies, also filed) a change of beneficiary the old beneficiary takes it. It's not just that the insurance company can't take your word as to what he intended to do (although they can't), it is that until it was done, it does not count -- the road to hades is paved with intentions.

 

[ShadyLL]

Insurance conpanies must take that last SIGNED beneficiary nformation. They will not deviate from that.