Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

life insurance policy left to husband of deceased ex wife

My ex wife died and left me as primary benificiary of her insurance policy. Her daughter was listed as a second benificiary. I never adopted her daughter. Is she entitled to any portion of the policy? There was no will prepared and no mention in the final divorce decree.


Asked on 6/03/04, 6:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Re: life insurance policy left to husband of deceased ex wife

Policy proceeds are payable to the named beneficiary. If she did not change the beneficiary after the divorce, you are entitled to the policy proceeds. Morally, you might want to do something for her daughter, but the choice is yours. Since the divorce settlement did not cover the policy, no claim should be made against you. Did your "X" have any other assets? If so, these would all go to her daughter by intestacy (dying without a Will) and her daughter can apply to be the administrtor of her estate.

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Answered on 6/04/04, 12:23 pm


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