Will
My uncle died last Nov 2025 his wife my aunt died Jan 2026. They had a will that listed my 2 cousins as beneficiaries and executor of the estate. The problem is: my uncle has a $50,000.00 policy with Prudential. My aunt has an indemnity with GE/Fidelty worth about $89,000.00 . When contacted them were told not entitled to money because the name is not listed on the account as beneficiary. The will does state entitled to all monies, personal belonging, house, cars. Being told cannot collect the $140,000.00 is this true? How can we obtain the money?
Terry Says
The money cannot be paid out to individuals since they were not listed as beneficiaries. It can only be paid to the estate, which can then distribute it. That’s an important distinction— and a reminder to others that retirement plans and insurance policies MUST have named beneficiaries!
You need an estate planning attorney to deal with this, and to open a “probate estate” to receive the funds, and then distribute them. Ask about fees before hiring an attorney to do this.
