policy documents not found - will it go to probate?

by Guest » Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:01 pm
Guest

Dad had a policy with my mom as beneficiary, so she says. However, step mom and brothers say they haven't been able to find any documents for that. Will the money go through probate then, and we'll be left out with nothing? what to do? mom is around 65 and needs support. Can I find the policy?

Total Comments: 3

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 07:18 pm Post Subject:

Do you know which insurance company is involved? If you do, you simply contact them to file a claim. The money will be paid to the beneficiary of record. If there is none, then the money goes to the estate to be probated.

You can also use the MIB Lost Policy Locator service: http://www.mib.com/lost_life_insurance.html

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 08:15 am Post Subject:

Yes, you need to locate the policy first. Your dad may have changed the name of the beneficiary in between or assigned shares. Before you file a claim, you need to ensure that your mum is still named in the policy or is the sole beneficiary. Nothing can be said before the policy is found.

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 01:03 pm Post Subject:

Before you file a claim, you need to ensure that your mum is still named in the policy or is the sole beneficiary.

In the UK, this may be so, but in the US this is not correct. It is neither necessary to have the policy nor be the sole beneficiary in order to file a claim. It is necessary to know which insurance company is involved.

Nothing can be said before the policy is found.

Insurance companies must now proactively contact beneficiaries after learning of the death of their insureds. Filing a claim is not necessary for this to happen.

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