Removing yourself as beneficiary from a will?

Question

how would someone go about removing theirselves legally as a beneficiary from a will? strange question i know but i have my reasons...

how would you be able to legally force someone to remove you as a beneficiary if they refuse to remove you?

Answer 1

You can`t change someone else`s will while they are still alive nor coerce them into changing it. If you really don`t personally want to benefit from your inheritence there are so many charities you could just give it to and get some pleasure from that.

Answer 2

Sounds like you may be trying to avoid receiving money; reasons being: divorce, judgments, bankruptcy etc. Am I close?

Maybe have the current executor or person create a Trust to become beneficiary on your behalf.

Answer 3

Now, that is a very strange question indeed! You are not thinking about kiling this person (and therefore do not want to be chief suspect, seeing you are the beneficiary), are you? (laughs)

Answer 4

While they are alive; you can't.

Once they have died, most states have a form that lets you decline a bequest in a will. Call the local probate court

Answer 5

My best statement to this is to take them to court and state your reasons in front of a judge.  That might be the closest way to be removed.

I am not sure though that a person can be removed as a beneficiary if it is what the person wants.  Try calling a lawyers office, a lot of them give you free advice if it is worth trying to fight or not.

Answer 6

Sorry but I can't see why you would want to remove yourself as a beneficiary! So I can't really give an answer.  

Answer 7

First let the person know that you do not wish to be in the will. You probably have done this.

If the person has left you in the will and dies.  You can refuse to take possession of that which was willed to you.  You will probably have to sign an affidavit to that effect at that time.  The lawyer and executor will provide it.

Answer 8

You cannot force anyone to make any alterations to their will, nor remove yourself as a named beneficiary. However, within 2 years of the death ALL the beneficiaries can agree to execute a Deed of Variation. A Deed of Variation sometimes known as an instrument of variation, family arrangement. deed of surrender, dead of release or a deed of assignment enables beneficiaries of a deceased’s estate to alter the distribution of that estate, or relinquish a bequest from an estate.

If you're thinking of this as a way to avoid for instance care costs, it doesn't work!  If it's a moral issue you have, then the simplest would be to accept the bequest and promptly pass it on to a charity.

Answer 9

There is no legal mechanism to remove yourself as a beneficiary as a will is a personal document and anyone can name anybody as a beneficiary.

Once the person dies you can refuse to accept the bequest and therefore the gift to you would fail.