How do I find out about insurance, death benefits, and so on after my unmarried brother died?

Question

Is there an (easy) way for me, the sole surviving sibling with deceased parents, to find out where/if my brother had insurance policies? His untimely death has thrown me into a "tizzy." I do not live in either the town or the state where he died and know very little information about this. Rummaging through his "packrat" apartment on the day of his memorial service for a couple hours turned up very little. Other than a trip across the country, where and what are my best resources? Also, how do we (me and my husband) find out about death benefits from any associations he belonged to?

Answer 1

Start with his employer. That is an easy contact. Then, you will have to search his apartment to find more info. Also, try checking his phone bills and bank accounts. If he was paying a premium, it would show up in his bank records or credit card statement.

Answer 2

Do you know if he had a solicitor - that would be the best place to start. Otherwise you need to speak to a solicitor and ask for their advice. Good luck as this difficult time I guess the hassle is the last thing you need. Hopefully your brother had a will and solicitor and everything will be easy for you. If not, be patient, these things can take a long time but you'll get there.

Answer 3

The state will have to declare an executor of his estate. The executor has the legal right to find the answers to your questions. You need to find out how that process is dealt with. If there is no will, the closest living relative will "eventually" inherit anything that is left, including insurance policies. But, frankly, it may require you to go there to sort through all this.

Answer 4

Life insurance provides a death benefit if you die. If there is no death there is no death benefit. Are you talking about the cash value or dividends or something else?