There are many life insurance beneficiary disputes which result in interpleader actions filed by insurance companies. Our top life insurance lawyers litigate life insurance interpleader cases and win.
Life Insurance Interpleader 1. The insured had named his first wife as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later divorced her and remarried. He did not change the beneficiary designation before his death. The first wife claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the second wife, arguing that the divorce automatically revoked the first wife’s rights. Lincoln Memorial filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The first wife was still the lawful beneficiary, because the state where the policy was issued did not have an automatic revocation upon divorce law.
Interpleader Life Insurance 2. The insured had named his son as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later executed a will that left all his property to his daughter. The son claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the daughter, arguing that the will superseded the beneficiary designation. Ameriprise filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The son was still the lawful beneficiary, because a will cannot change a life insurance beneficiary designation unless it complies with the policy requirements.
Life Insurance Interpleader Lawsuit 3. The insured had named his wife as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later separated from her and moved in with his girlfriend. He did not change the beneficiary designation before his death. The wife claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the girlfriend, alleging that the insured had forged a change of beneficiary form in her favor. Capital Life filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The wife was still the lawful beneficiary, because there was no evidence of a valid change of beneficiary form executed by the insured.
Interpleader Action Life Insurance 4. The insured had named his mother as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later married and had a child. He did not change the beneficiary designation before his death. The mother claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the widow and child, arguing that they were entitled to a share of the policy under state law. Phoenix Life filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The mother was still the lawful beneficiary, because state law did not override a valid beneficiary designation unless there was clear evidence of a contrary intent by the insured.
Beneficiary Dispute Interpleader 5. The insured had named his brother as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later became estranged from him and verbally told his sister that he wanted her to have the policy proceeds. He did not change the beneficiary designation before his death. The brother claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the sister, relying on the insured’s oral statement. Allianz filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The brother was still the lawful beneficiary, because an oral statement cannot change a life insurance beneficiary designation unless it is followed by a written confirmation.
Interpleader Action 6. The insured had named his brother as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later became estranged from him and verbally told his sister that he wanted her to have the policy proceeds. He did not change the beneficiary designation before his death. The brother claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the sister, relying on the insured’s oral statement. Kentucky Central Life filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The brother was still the lawful beneficiary, because an oral statement cannot change a life insurance beneficiary designation unless it is followed by a written confirmation.
Interpleader Lawsuit 7. The insured had named his wife as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later executed a trust that named his children as the beneficiaries of all his assets. He did not change the beneficiary designation before his death. The wife claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the children, arguing that the trust superseded the beneficiary designation. Confederation Life filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The wife was still the lawful beneficiary, because a trust cannot change a life insurance beneficiary designation unless it complies with the policy requirements.
Life Insurance Interpleader 8. The insured had named his girlfriend as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later married and had a child with another woman. He did not change the beneficiary designation before his death. The girlfriend claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the widow and child, alleging that they were entitled to a share of the policy under state law. Mutual Security Life filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The girlfriend was still the lawful beneficiary, because state law did not override a valid beneficiary designation unless there was clear evidence of a contrary intent by the insured.
Interpleader Life Insurance 9. The insured had named his mother as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later married and told his wife that he wanted her to have the policy proceeds. He did not change the beneficiary designation before his death. The mother claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the wife, relying on the insured’s oral statement and evidence of attempted change of beneficiary forms. Choice Mutual Life filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The mother was still the lawful beneficiary, because there was no valid change of beneficiary form executed by the insured.
Interpleader Action 10. The insured had named his father as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, but later died in a car accident along with his father. It was unclear who died first in the accident. The father’s estate claimed the policy proceeds, but so did the insured’s siblings, arguing that they were entitled to a share of the policy under state law. Executive Life filed an interpleader action and deposited the money with the court. The the father’s estate was still the lawful beneficiary, because there was no evidence to rebut the presumption that the father survived longer than the insured in the accident.
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