Help! Gramma died 27 yrs ago I was beneficiary on 2 policies...where is it? Did my parents blow it?

Question

My g-ma died in 1980...I was 5 yrs. old.

I always knew that I had to have gotten something cause my sister got stock from my g-ma and my sister isn't even a biological g-child. But $$ was never mentioned or given to me. I am certain... I have a amazing memory.

Here I am at age 33...today my dad hands me a box of historical documents of his and my g-ma's. First off it includes gramma's will. Secondly it includes a very detailed list of 16 varing ins. policies and annuities that she had and was current on. She was very money smart and I am 100% certain they were all current and in effect. I am listed as a bene. on 2 policies.

One was from Colonial Penn Ins. Co. + the other is Lincoln Nat. Ins. Co.
Both ins. co's say they find no such records..
What shall I do next?

I cannot ask my parents

Info I have...
G-ma's date of birth and date of death.
G-ma's soc. sec. #
policy #'s
addresses for the ins. co's
Her handwritten list of policies and list of bene's

If I ask my parents first they will totally close up and not give any info unless I have some sort of proof. I want to exhaust my "C.S.I." abilities first then ask them last resort...cause they may have blown it away. If they did blow it...I would just rather know and forget about it and not have it hurt my relationships with them. But if they happened to forget about this policy then of course I want to find out more info. I do value my relationship with them far over the value of the money.

Answer 1

You can't find it. There's no database, and you already contacted the companies.

If you were 5, likely your parents DID get it, as they were your guardians, and could easily have "blown it" on your support.

No one hands a 5 year old thousands of dollars. And I don't trust the money savy opinion of a 5 year old (to pass the opinion on how smart she was).

If the insurance companies don't have records of it, then it's possible that the policies were not in force, maybe it was just her INTENTION to do this. But they were cashed in what, 28 years ago? It's much more likely your parents spent the money on food & clothing for you. Sorry.

Answer 2

Who was the executor of her estate? Talk to him/her as they're your best shot.

Call back both Ins. Co.
They should have files on the policies. They may not be in their computers though and almost certainly not in her Agent's computer, but they should have microfiche records of the policy documents at the regional or corporate level.

On the policy itself, does it say that someone is supposed to act as a trust for the money until you turn 18?
I work at an Ins. Co. and we won't write a minor as a beneficiary unless it's being held in trust by someone over 18.

Unfortunately there isn't a mass database for some thing like this, either the Executor or at Col. Penn will have to do some major digging.

Answer 3

Seems like the perfect time to ask your parents. You went thru the papers and found the list. So what happened to the money. Asking your parents is probably the only way your are going to find out for sure.

Answer 4

The only thing I can suggest is that you actually write to the insurance companies not just call them. Also send copies to the insurance commissioner for your state and ask them for their assistance.