A federal trial court in Virginia ruled that the life insurance benefits go to the decedent’s primary beneficiary.
Background
In 2019, Douglas Steen passed away. At the time of his death, he had a life insurance policy with Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (“Lincoln”). Two beneficiaries claimed the life insurance benefits, Steen’s daughter and Steen’s partner.
Steen’s partner argued that she was entitled to the benefits because she was the named primary beneficiary. Steen’s daughter argued that she was entitled to the benefits because her father had intended to change the policy and remove his partner. Lincoln asked the federal trial court to determine to whom the benefits should go to.
The Policy Governs
In determining who was the correct beneficiary, the trial court looked at one thing: the life insurance policy. The life insurance policy listed Steen’s partner as the primary beneficiary and his daughter as the contingent beneficiary. Steen’s daughter admitted that was correct.
The court next looked at another part of the life insurance policy that plainly explained the life insurance benefits will be paid to the surviving beneficiary. Since Steen’s partner was named as the primary beneficiary, the court determined that the life insurance benefits should go to her.
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