by azbellla » Tue Nov 10, 2009 05:35 pm
Hello, my name is Katherine, and I have a question reguarding disputing a life insurance policy.
My husband passed away alittle less than 2 months ago.
He had 2 life insurances, a basic and a voluntary.
I was listed as benficary on his basic life insurance, but on his voluntary life insuance, his ex wife was still listed as being the beneficary.
I have already recieved the proceeds from the basic, and was informed this morning about, his ex being listed as the beneficary, by his former employer. The lady ahead of the benefits office told me they maybe be able to change it, if I show a divorce decree stating they were divorced.
Ive looked all over the web for articles about it, and came up empty handed.
Im just curious, if I have a right to dispute this claim. Or what?
Thank You
Katherine J
My husband passed away alittle less than 2 months ago.
He had 2 life insurances, a basic and a voluntary.
I was listed as benficary on his basic life insurance, but on his voluntary life insuance, his ex wife was still listed as being the beneficary.
I have already recieved the proceeds from the basic, and was informed this morning about, his ex being listed as the beneficary, by his former employer. The lady ahead of the benefits office told me they maybe be able to change it, if I show a divorce decree stating they were divorced.
Ive looked all over the web for articles about it, and came up empty handed.
Im just curious, if I have a right to dispute this claim. Or what?
Thank You
Katherine J
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:51 am Post Subject:
First of all I'm so sorry about the loss of your dear husband, azbellla.
This is a group policy, and they are different...if you have the policy try and find the part about beneficiarys and/or changing them. I've seen some that state if an ex-wife is to remain the beneficary that the insured (your husband), has to sign yet another form that in effect states, 'YES, I really do want to keep the ex as a beneficary!" others if there is a present wife, then it is 'assumed' the insured just 'forgot' to change it...and it's changed to the present wife.
Does the ex know about this? Did they have children? How long have they been divorced, and you two married? Do you think he intended to leave her on as beneficary for some reason? Let us know and maybe we can be of further assistance.
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:53 am Post Subject:
Hi Katherine, and welcome to the forum.
First of all, I'm sorry for the loss of your husband.
As far as the life coverage that had his ex as the beneficiary, I don't think there's going to be much you can do about it. The state you live in may have something to do with it, but I doubt it. This confuses me:
The lady ahead of the benefits office told me they maybe be able to change it, if I show a divorce decree stating they were divorced. Ive looked all over the web for articles about it, and came up empty handed.
She may be looking to help, but divorce generally has nothing to do with this unless your state law requires this to be done. This law generally only applies to retirement plans, such as a 401(k) and similar. Rarely will a divorce do anything to affect the beneficiary designation in a life insurance policy.
Can you give us some more info? What state are you in?
InsTeacher 8)
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