Eligible and ineligible people as beneficiaries to life insurance policy (2024)

Our life insurance law firm would like you to know who is eligible and who is ineligible with respect to being a life insurance beneficiary. We handle all life insurance beneficiary disputes and interpleader lawsuits.

Eligible Beneficiaries:

• Primary Beneficiary: The primary beneficiary is the individual or entity designated by the policyholder to receive the death benefit upon their passing. This can be a spouse, child, relative, friend, or any person or organization chosen by the policyholder.
• Contingent Beneficiary: A contingent beneficiary is an alternative recipient named by the policyholder to receive the death benefit if the primary beneficiary is unable or unwilling to accept it. This can be another person, a charity, an estate, or a trust.
• Trusts: A policyholder may designate a trust as the beneficiary of their life insurance policy. This allows for more control over the distribution and management of the death benefit, especially in situations involving minors, individuals with special needs, or complex estate planning needs.
• Estates: In the absence of a named beneficiary, the death benefit may default to the policyholder's estate. This means the proceeds will be subject to probate and distributed according to the policyholder's will or the intestacy laws of the jurisdiction.

Ineligible Beneficiaries:

• Minors: Generally, minors (individuals under the age of 18 or 21, depending on the jurisdiction) cannot be named as direct beneficiaries of a life insurance policy. In such cases, a trust or custodian may be designated to manage the proceeds until the minor reaches the age of majority.
• Animals or Pets: While people often have strong emotional attachments to their pets, animals cannot be designated as direct beneficiaries of a life insurance policy. However, some jurisdictions allow for the establishment of pet trusts or the inclusion of provisions in a will to provide for the care and maintenance of pets after the policyholder's death.
• Nonexistent Persons: Beneficiaries must be living individuals or legally recognized entities at the time of the policyholder's death. It is not possible to name a beneficiary who does not exist or has not yet been born.
• Individuals under Court Order: In certain circ*mstances, a court may deem an individual unfit or incapable of receiving life insurance proceeds. This can happen if the beneficiary has been convicted of a crime against the policyholder or if there are ongoing legal proceedings that question their eligibility.
• Revoked or Disqualified Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries may be excluded from receiving the death benefit if the policyholder revokes the designation or if a court determines that the beneficiary should be disqualified due to fraud, duress, undue influence, lack of mental capacity, or other legal reasons.

What people can be disqualified by law to be a life insurance beneficiary ?

The laws governing life insurance beneficiaries can vary by jurisdiction, but certain individuals may be disqualified from being named as beneficiaries due to legal restrictions. Here are some common examples:

• Felons or Criminals: In many jurisdictions, individuals who have been convicted of a crime against the policyholder, such as murder or manslaughter, may be disqualified from receiving life insurance proceeds.
• Abusers or Perpetrators of Violence: Some jurisdictions have laws that prohibit individuals who have committed acts of domestic violence or abuse against the policyholder from being named as beneficiaries.
• Professionals Involved in the Policyholder's Death: Certain jurisdictions have laws that disqualify individuals who are directly involved in causing the death of the policyholder from receiving life insurance benefits. This can include healthcare providers, caregivers, or other professionals who may have a conflict of interest.
• Witnesses to the Will: In some jurisdictions, witnesses to the policyholder's will, including those who sign the life insurance beneficiary designation, may be disqualified from receiving the death benefit. This is to prevent potential conflicts of interest or undue influence.
• Insurable Interest Requirements: Some jurisdictions have "insurable interest" laws, which require the beneficiary to have a legitimate financial interest in the policyholder's life. Beneficiaries who do not meet the criteria of insurable interest may be disqualified. For example, a stranger or someone without any familial or financial relationship with the policyholder may be ineligible.

Recent Settlements

• $121,900 Gerber Life Insurance Claim
• $206,475 Americo Life Insurance Claim
• $75,650 Farmers Life Insurance Claim

Free consultation 800-330-2274