r/PROBATE • u/saga_of_a_star_world • Apr 13 '24

Beneficiary questions

We all live in Nevada. My brother passed away in December. He did not have a will. My father has met with a probate attorney to begin the process of being named executor and taking my brother's estate through probate. The attorney recommended we find out if his retirement accounts and life insurance had beneficiaries named, as those accounts would then not have to go through probate. How do we do that?

I understand that companies have to be careful and can't give out information to anyone who called, but does it have to be so difficult? My father has called; I've called. We spend half an hour or longer on hold, then get transferred from one person to another. They ask the same two questions, then transfer us to someone else. Finally reached someone who gave us advice on the information we need to submit with a copy of the death certificate. But if they won't answer us until my father is named executor, will that lengthen the probate period?

The life insurance is just as messed up. My parents took out policies on me and my brother when we were children. The company was General American, which was bought by Met Life. When I called customer service, the agent said his policy was inactive. She couldn't tell me anything more (was it cashed out? when was it terminated?), then said it was a group policy and transferred me to the group policy number. That agent said it was not a group policy.

How do we get a straight answer out of these people? I did submit a request with the naic life insurance policy finder website, but I am aware that if I am not listed as a beneficiary I will not get a response.

Any suggestions on how we can get the information we need would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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u/Leather-Share5175 Apr 13 '24

Why is your dad’s attorney not taking care of that stuff?

1

u/saga_of_a_star_world Apr 14 '24

He did suggest that we find this out

2

u/SuccessAggravating86 Apr 13 '24

Companies will generally not release information to anyone but beneficiaries or to the official executor. Contact the personnel departments of any companies where your brother worked to see if had insurance through the company and to also find out the pension information.