If you are the beneficiary of a life insurance policy and the insured passes away without a will, does the life insurance become part of the...

Question

If you are the beneficiary of a life insurance policy and the insured passes away without a will, does the life insurance become part of the estate?

Answer

It is not part of the private estate and the proceeds should be paid directly to you. It will be considered part of the taxable estate unless the insurance was part of an irrevocable insurance trust or similar estate planning technique