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[quote=Anonymous]My dad died 17 years ago, and my mom just two years ago.  I was executrix of my mother's estate and distributed the last of it in late 2012.  I am one of six siblings.

Yesterday I received a letter from a reputable life insurance company saying they understood from the social security administration that [my dad's name] had died in '96, and that they were looking for a relative of his to discuss an insurance matter - to call immediately.  I called them and confirmed who I am, and they said that he had a life insurance policy which had never been claimed.  They asked me some questions (his date of birth, date of death, my mom's name, etc.) but could not disclose anything about the policy or benefit amounts.  They are emailing me claim forms with instructions for completion, and once I have completed them I need to mail them in with a certified death certificate.

I am a bit flabbergasted by this.  I have the death certificate but wonder:

-Since my mom (who was presumably the beneficiary) has passed away, would the proceeds - whatever they are - go to her estate, or to the six children directly?  Does that depend on how the beneficiaries were designated (children as contingent beneficiaries or not)?

-Life insurance passes outside of the estate (I know my mom's did).  On the other hand, since mom is gone, wouldn't the proceeds have to go into her estate unless we six were designated as contingent beneficiaries?

-If the proceeds must go into the estate, then do I need to reestablish an Estate Of Mom bank account to distribute them, as executrix?

Has anyone ever encountered a situation like this?

I am intrigued by this strange development, but also sad for my mom if it turns out that this is a significant amount, intended by my dad to support mom in her old age.  She was fine in retirement, thanks to her aggressive savings, but I know she was surprised (and dismayed) when my dad passed away to learn how little money he had.  (They kept their finances separate - weird to me, but that's what they did.)  If it turns out that he had in fact planned for her well-being via this insurance policy, it is terribly sad to me that she never knew or benefited from that. [/quote]

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