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A question about life insurance in Minnesota that maybe gets a little sticky?

My mother married a man in 1991. She retired from Quest in 2000 or 2001. I had moved out around then. She had life insurance and switched the benificiary from me to him. He died in 2004, but she always procrastinated putting me back on, though she continued to pay the priemiums. I moved back in to help her out. Yesterday morning I found her dead in the living room. After some dorking around, I know I get her three vehicles and the house. But since he was still on her life insurance and not me, I thought I was screwed out of that. My grampa kind of thinks the same way but wants to talk to a lawyer Monday first. I just got home from the funeral home planning her wake and funeral. When I got home, a woman called and asked for my mom. I told her what had happened and she asked if there was insurance. I said yes and explained the situation. She said that it is BS for the insurance company (AARP) could keep it. She said she worked for the county attorny's office. (cont.) She said what I have to do is prove he has been dead. Prove that mom has died. Prove she is my mother. That makes me next of kin. She said as long as my mom was paying, the insurance has no right to keep what she put in. And whether it be a sibling or child, next of kins is entitled to it. What are your thoughts? Do I have a shot at it?

Public Comments

1. The insurance company never keeps the money. The state has a pre determined next of kin provision and it usually goes spouse, children, grandchildren. If you have any siblings they would also be entitled. You should get the death certificates together for your mom and step father those will be needed
2. In your case, the life insurance money will go to your mom's estate. From there, all assets in the estate will have to be settled in court between family members, unless your mom has written a Will.