Question
How can you find out if some one had life insurance prior to passing away?
My step mom had recently passed away. My father and her were still married. They were some differences amungst him and her children and now there leaving him completely out of everything. They didnt even include him in the obituary. Now he's hearing from her other family members that her daughter is trying to get the money from her policy. There trying to say that my father's no where to be found. They havent called him or anything after the funeral. Im wondering what can be done at this point to determine what insurance company she was with. If she really did have a policy, and what are the ways of going about things to get what may legally be his. Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance!
5 months ago - 3 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
Well, you ASK them. But AFTER they pass, the easiest way, is to go through all their banking statements - IF they had it, they were PAYING for it, most likely once a month, but at LEAST once a year. He doesn't have to worry about her daughter stealing HIS benefits - it can't be done. The life insurance company will take the claim from ANYONE, but will write the check out, and mail it directly to ONLY the beneficiary. Even if the claimants say they can't find him, the life insurance company will mail something to the address she listed. If you're asking, is there a database where you can look it up, the answer is no. If he is NOT executor of her estate, or administrator of her estate, legally, he doesn't have ACCESS to the life insurance information, legally - it's protected by the privacy laws. He can see if a will was filed at probate court - but if she didn't have a will during the marriage, it's not likely that after a seperation there would be one. If they have joint assets, likely, as they are still married, they will belong to him. If they have no joint assets, it's pretty unlikely she had life insurance. But you could always hire a lawyer to look into it.
by mbrcatz
5 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
Unless you have access to her personal records, you can't. But no one can "try to get the money" from a life insurance policy. The insurance company will ONLY pay the benefit to the beneficiary(ies) named by your step mom. Wills (or the lack of one) and relationship to the deceased party have nothing to do with it.
by jlf- 5 months ago
There is only one company that can tell you, possibly. It is called MIB. All life insurance goes through them. This is not a solicitation. All life insurance policies go through this company.
by car253- 5 months ago