Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Texas
Mother estate
My mother passed away in 2006 and in her will stated that her estate would be split between 4 people equally. She also had a Teachers Retirement insurance policy that listed me as sole beneficiary, do I split this in 4 equal amounts or did my mother intend for me to have this money. Thank you for your time.
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Mother estate
Insurance proceeds are not part of the estate. I don't know what you're mother intended, but the insurance proceeds are legally yours alone.
Re: Mother estate
If the insurance has a valid beneficiary designation and your mother was not married at the time of her death, then the proceeds would go to whomever is listed on the beneficiary designation--period. If the beneficiary designation is you alone, then it's yours alone. If the designation is to the estate, then it would go under the terms of the will.
Re: Mother estate
No. The insurance proceeds falls outside of the estate and is all yours.