I need Information on being a primary beneficiary

by Guest » Wed Jul 22, 2009 03:48 am
Guest

ok I lived with my Aunt and Uncle for about 11 years, most of my life. I am 18 now and I have this issue. My aunt passed from cancer about a year ago. she kept trying to tell my family members about money she had held for me and she wanted to transfer it into a their bank to keep it away from my uncle im sure, but every time she talked he would make her shut up about it and not let her talk to family privately. After her death things got really bad between me and my Uncle. Then one night he did something that I told to a therapist and he was arrested for a few days. Now before I got out of there there was a paper on the kitchen table something about I being the primary beneficiary to that money and him being the spouse wanting to change it to a spouse beneficiary or something. I honestly don't understand any of this and I'm wondering is there any way he could take that money away from me? and how can I get help in this with the little information I have? Im in desperate need of that money for going to college but its also the fact that she clearly didnt want him knowing about it. Now that I am 18 can the people who hold the money find me and send me the money? If anyone can knows more about this I am dire need of help in this situation.

Total Comments: 10

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 08:50 am Post Subject:

Hello Guest, What is the paper that you have found in the kitchen table the other day?

You haven't mentioned whether it is a life insurance fund or any other form of forwarding? It is important for us to know what we are talking about.

Do you know anyone in the family or a friend or a colleague of your aunt with whom she might have shared her secrets?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:54 am Post Subject:

Well, if she had money in the bank then she could have transferred it to any of her family members (including you). First, you should communicate with your family members and make sure that none of them knows anything about the money. Did you do that?
Have you ever heard of any will that she may have notarized secretly? BullockS

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:56 pm Post Subject:

Well Im not entirely sure what the paper was unfortunately. It was like something you would fill out except there was already writing on it... like there was sections to it saying who the spouse of my aunt was and then my uncle's name and info and then another section saying Primary beneficiary and under that was my name. Then there was something about spouse a beneficiary or something and under that there was nothing, like the lines were empty. Thats to the best of my memory. This happened when I was 16. She was trying to tell her family about it but she never got the chance to because of my uncle. All I know is that she was telling them she has money for me and then tried to ask them what bank they are with but I'm guessing if she didn't switch it in time he could possibly just have the money now. She was never able to do a will either. I don't know what to do about it. =/ my aunt was dying of cancer while she was trying to do this and my uncle is a very manipulative and controlling person. I Know my aunt has told my family about it but they don't know where it is...Can he take her money out have that account or whatever it is even when its not meant for him?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 07:43 am Post Subject:

Okay, then it is not a life insurance policy.

Can he take her money out have that account or whatever it is even when its not meant for him?



If he was holding the account jointly with your aunt then, 'Yes'.

Normally, you can't just walk into the bank and claim the money. In absence of any will of the deceased the state's succession laws would govern the issue.

The bank might release the money to the spouse/next kin of the deceased after deducting any debt that the account holder had with the bank, but there is a process for doing that too.

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 05:44 am Post Subject:

If it was a life insurance policy, only the owner of the policy can change the beneficiary. If she owned the policy, your uncle shouldn't have been able to change the beneficiary.

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 03:56 am Post Subject: BANK ACCOUNT

My husband passed away with money in a bank account. No one was listed at Pay On Death To..., so I had no claim to the money even though I was his wife. I guess the bank just absorbed it back in. We had another joint account that just automatically belonged to me after his death.

People have good intentions before they pass, but those good intentions really need to be put in writing on the proper documents.

Good luck to you!

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:35 am Post Subject:

mswatson27, just because it was an account without a specific beneficiary does not mean that the bank could keep the money and you have no claim. Talk to the bank to see what is needed to get your hands on the money.

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:10 am Post Subject:

People have good intentions before they pass, but those good intentions really need to be put in writing on the proper documents.



Sometimes you need to be aware of such good intentions!

Talk to the bank to see what is needed to get your hands on the money.



It might just be that you'd need to show the proof of your identity as his 'wife'. You could be regarded as the rightful nominee in the absence of one on papers.

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 04:20 pm Post Subject: Thank you Expert

Sadly, that was about 7 years ago now. Commerce Bank told me that I had no claim to the money, period. It was pretty upsetting since we had a joint account at the same bank, we lived in a small town, and everyone knew everyone else. I would have hoped for a little advice, but they offered none.

I don't suppose there was enough money to make it worth getting an attorney. Besides, I was only 26 and really didn't know anything about anything. :) I feel like the folks at the back knew that too.

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:23 am Post Subject: insurance

I'll tell ya, if I haven't learned ANYTHING on this site ( and I have learned quite a bit), is it's SOOOOO important to put things in writing and make them as clear as you can!!

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