How do you find out if you are entitled to death insurance benefits?

Question

There is no will. Many children. A much younger widow that says she will distribute the money as He wished. A family vacation to another country(all expenses paid). That is where the checks will be given. Sounds pretty fishy to me! I am just a significant other and very concerned that this woman is pulling a slick move.

Answer 1

Contract law dictates how life insurance proceeds are distributed.  This is cut and dry.

With no will, his state's intestacy laws will govern how his estate is distributed.  Just search his state of residence and "intestate law" to find out what this is.  Intestacy varies wildly state to state.  You may want to get the help of a probate attorney who is familiar with his state's laws on this one.

Answer 2

If there is no will, then state probate laws dictate how the estate is settled.

Answer 3

There's no will, so the widow will most likely get the whole estate, unless there are minor children - in which case, it will be up to the probate judge to distribute the assets according to state law.

If you're entitled to any death insurance, the insurance company will make the check out to YOU.  They pay the beneficiary(ies) exactly as the policy is set up.  If wifey is the only beneficiary, she gets all the money, and can spend it any way she wants - it's VERY generous of her to pay for a family vacation for a family with many children.  She doesn't have to do that.

If the deceased was worried about the children, he would have taken care of things with a will.  

Now, having said that, if you're worried about YOUR kids, I hope you get YOUR will written, and make sure that someone you trust has access to it if you kick off suddenly.