Can someone claim life insurance benefits if they killed the insured under Florida law?!
Generally, under Florida law, a beneficiary who intentionally caused the death of the insured is not entitled to receive life insurance benefits. This is because Florida Statutes Section 732.802 expressly provides that
"a named beneficiary of a bond, life insurance policy, or other contractual arrangement who unlawfully and intentionally kills the principal obligee or the person upon whose life the policy is issued is not entitled to any benefit under the bond, policy, or other contractual arrangement; and it becomes payable as though the killer had predeceased the decedent."
This is commonly referred to as the "Slayer Statute." The Slayer Statute is a legal principle that prohibits a person who intentionally causes the death of another person from receiving any financial benefits or inheritance from the deceased person's estate. Therefore, if the beneficiary is found guilty of killing the insured or it is otherwise proved that they unlawfully and intentionally killed the insured, they would likely be prohibited from receiving any life insurance benefits under both the Slayer Statute and Florida law. If you need a life insurance lawyer, give us a call at 800-337-7755 or chat with us today.
Is a life insurance policy void if the beneficiary intentionally kills the insured?
In Florida and many states, a life insurance policy is not considered void if the named beneficiary intentionally causes the death of the insured. However, the beneficiary designation may be void. This is because the public policy of the law does not allow someone to profit from their own wrongdoing or criminal act. The rule that voids a life insurance policy beneficiary designation in the case of intentional killing is known as the "slayer rule" or "slayer statute." The slayer rule applies when the beneficiary is found to have intentionally caused the death of the insured, whether or not they are convicted of a crime.
Under the slayer rule, the life insurance policy is treated as if the named beneficiary predeceased the insured. In that case, the proceeds would typically go to the insured's estate or to a contingent beneficiary named in the policy.
It's important to note that the slayer rule generally applies when the beneficiary intentionally caused the death of the insured. If the beneficiary did not intend to cause the death of the insured, the life insurance policy may not be voided by their actions.
How can a life insurance attorney help with a life insurance case if the beneficiary killed the insured?
A life insurance attorney can be helpful in a situation where a beneficiary is accused of intentionally causing the death of the insured and is seeking to collect life insurance benefits. In such cases, an attorney can:
Review the life insurance policy: An attorney can carefully examine the life insurance policy to determine whether it contains any provisions that would void the policy beneficiary designation in the event that the beneficiary caused the death of the insured.
Investigate the circumstances of the insured's death: An attorney can conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the insured's death, including reviewing any police reports, autopsy reports, or witness statements to determine whether the beneficiary played a role in the insured's death.
Defend against any civil claim: If the attorney represents the beneficiary being accused of the killing, an attorney can provide legal representation to defend against those civil claims to show the killing was lawful.
Represent the interests of the insured's estate: If the life insurance policy beneficiary designation is found to be void, a life insurance attorney can represent the interests of the insured's estate to ensure that any proceeds from the policy are distributed according to the insured's wishes or in accordance with applicable law.
If you have questions about a life insurance case where the beneficiary is accused of intentionally causing the death of the insured, you may want to consult with an experienced life insurance attorney to discuss your legal options.
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National Life Insurance Lawyers
At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, our life insurance lawyers often work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that our fees are taken as a percentage of the winnings from any successful claim. This can be beneficial if you don't have the funds to pay for legal representation upfront or if you're not sure whether your case will be successful. A contingency fee agreement also means that the attorney will not get paid unless you win your case. This fee structure can be beneficial for both you and your lawyer, as it aligns the interests of the client and attorney to help ensure that the claim is pursued strategically with a focus on achieving a successful outcome.
If you need help with a life insurance claim, contact the life insurance attorneys at the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today for a free consultation at 800-337-7755 or connect with our live chat representatives.
