Annapolis, MD asked in Estate Planning, Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for Maryland

Q: My father passed recently. He named me, his daughter, as beneficiary for his life insurance policy back in 2014.

He had to get his life insurance papework notarized due to state of Michigan retirement/pension rules, which he did, and then sent it in to be filed. In 2021, he remarried and went through the state of Michigan online system and put his new wife down as the beneficiary. He did not go through a notary, he just simply typed in her name, ssn, and birthday. I am now wondering as to who the true beneficiary is of his life insurance policy? Thank you!

1 Lawyer Answer
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Crownsville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: I am sorry to hear of the recent loss of your father.

The post states that the policy holder "went through the online system and put his new wife down as the beneficiary." That is almost certainly the answer to the question "who the true beneficiary is of his life insurance policy?" If you have any questions, though, you might pose them to the holder of the life insurance policy who will certainly have a record of the current beneficiary. If you are the beneficiary, the insurance carrier would confirm this information with a death certificate.

While not legal advice, I hope that this helps.

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