[WSBAPT] Life Insurance/Interplay with Will

[Jennifer L White]

Hi Carol,
The default when no beneficiary is named is governed by the insurance company contract – the policy. You should ask for a full copy of the policy to review for the fall back distribution.
Good luck!


Jennifer L. White, Esq.
[cid:image002.jpg at 01D7F102.F9C33EF0]

jen at appletreelaw.com<mailto:jen at appletreelaw.com>
PO Box 11037
Yakima, WA 98909
509.225.9813

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Carol Hunter
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2021 3:51 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Life Insurance/Interplay with Will

Dear Listmates,

I represent a PR  in an estate in which there is a specific bequest that essentially says:

“If the Estate receives proceeds from any life insurance policy, then those proceeds shall be distributed to (individual)”

The decedent did in fact have a policy, and no beneficiary was named.

The life insurance agent is telling the PR that when there is no beneficiary named, then the funds follow a “hierarchy” (his words) – akin to intestate succession as far as I can tell, payable directly to those individuals.

It is my understanding that a policy lacking a beneficiary would default to the Estate.
Any thoughts?


Sincerely,
Carol J. Hunter
Attorney at Law
[cid:image003.png at 01D7F102.F9C33EF0]
Hunter Elder Law, PLLC
2208 W Second Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
509-747-0101
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