Who Gets Life Insurance If No Beneficiary?
4330 POINTSview profileJerry Vanderzanden, CLU, ChFCCo-Founder, Coastal Financial Partners Group, CaliforniaIf there is no named, living beneficiary of the life insurance policy when the insured dies, the proceeds are paid to the estate. It is not an ideal outcome since this subjects the proceeds to probate which would not have occurred if there was a beneficiary. To ensure this does not occur, the policy-owner should name a primary and a contingent (back up) beneficiary and review the policy every three years with a life insurance professional.Answered on May 1, 2013flag this answer
4249 POINTSview profileGary LanePresident, Lane Independent Agency, Southern CaliforniaYou always want to keep your beneficiary up to date. They may predecease you, so change them if that happens. That is the whole purpose of life insurance. If you fail to keep your beneficiary up to date, then the proceeds of your life insurance policy will go to your estate. It is the same as having no will or no living trust. It goes into probate (the court) and you must have the court decide where the money goes. This usually requires an attorney, at your family's expense, along with court costs, and time, in California up to 3 years! Do not do this to your family. Keep an updated beneficiary at all times! Thank you. GARY LANE.Answered on May 27, 2014flag this answer
10968 POINTSview profileTim WilhoitOwner, Your Friend 4 Life, Brentwood TNIf there is no beneficiary on a life insurance policy the proceeds go to the estate. This means normally tax free funds will now go into probate court and will be taxed with the assets of the estate. This is a very expensive mistake. As Gary pointed out ALWAYS keep your beneficiary up to date. This really defeats the purpose of life insurance by taxing a tax free asset.Answered on May 27, 2014flag this answer
21750 POINTSview profileJim WinklerCEO/Owner, Winkler Financial Group, Houston, TexasThat is a great question with a really bad answer. It is really important to name a primary beneficiary, and a contingent one, just in case. If there isn't a beneficiary, then the proceeds go into probate court. That can cost you up to 40% of the proceeds (in Texas) and several years if it is contested. In any case it is a bad situation that is easily avoided. Call your agent and check the beneficiaries, the owner is the only one who can name them.Good luck, and thanks for asking!Answered on May 28, 2014flag this answer
40 POINTSview profileBrian GreenbergPresident, True Blue Life Insurance, Scottsdale, ArizonaAn alternative option is naming a trust as the beneficiary. This way you can outline the full line of beneficiaries in the order you wish. You will need to form a trust to do this. A living trust is a great document to have as it usually contains your will and medical directives as well.Answered on May 28, 2014flag this answer
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