Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington
Life Insurance Beneficiary
Recently my mother passed away without a will. My 2 sisters, one of which had the power of attorney did not inform me that I was the beneficiary of the life insurance policy. I was left the vehicle and they had me sign a paper stating that was all I would receive from the estate. Is the life insurance policy part of the estate and if so is there anything I can do because I signed the paper?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Life Insurance Beneficiary
Without having reviewed the various documents, I'd say that if you were listed as a beneficiary on the life insurance, the fact that you signed a paper giving up your interest in the estate does not affect your right to the insurance proceeds since life insurance passes by contract outside of the estate -- assuming that you were actually named on the policy.