Life Insurance and Divorce

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2 Table of Contents Court Ordered Life Insurance 3 Child Support Life Insurance 5 Divorce and Life Insurance 7 Your Rights and Entitlements 9 Important Issues 11 Page 2

3 Court Ordered Life Insurance Court ordered life insurance is becoming more popular, especially in lawsuits and divorce settlements. Whether a former spouse passes away or the requirement has ended, insurance is often court ordered to provide alimony, child support, or payments until some final event. Despite the reason, life insurance for divorce that has been court ordered should not be taken lightly; it is intended to both secure and ensure payments owed. Keep in mind that life insurance divorce policies may be required for years. Listed below are five tips to help you understand and comply with court ordered life insurance. 1. Remember: This is an order! Often, getting court ordered life insurance is something that many put off for as long as possible. While it s easy to get caught up in the hassle of work and day-to-day activities, it s important that court orders always come first! While you may have the best intentions about obtaining a life insurance divorce policy eventually, putting off court ordered life insurance can result with being charged and fined for con tempt of court. It is important to start the process to find child support life insurance immediately. 2. Choose a Different Agent. When trying to comply with court orders in a timely manner, many people only contact their auto or homeowners insurance agent. Although your agent may be great at their usual job, very few are skilled with life insurance divorce plans. Turning to a property or casualty agent to arrange a child support life insurance plan could make the process take longer than necessary. Instead, choose an agent that specializes and is experienced in divorce and life insurance plans. 3. Take Health Problems into Consideration. If suffering from a pre-existing health issue, make sure that the insurance agent is knowledgeable about impaired risk life insurance and how it may affect chances to attain life insurance for divorce. An agent should shop the case to guarantee a quick approval for a policy at an already- quoted Page 3

4 Court Ordered Life Insurance rate. Remember to discuss with your agent about health problems and how they may affect your ability to get insurance. If your agent does not seem experienced with pre-existing conditions, consider getting a second opinion before settling on any program for divorce life insurance. 4. Don t Let the Policy Expire. Unless something changes in the court orders, it is important that you keep the new life insurance policy in effect. Letting the policy expire can lead to more court appearances and even fines. To make sure that you can keep up with your insurance, choose a policy that is within an afford able price-range and always figure payments into your budget. 5. Keep the Court Updated. In some cases, it may take a while for the insurance policy to be put into effect. Consider contacting the court, your attorney, or the opposing lawyer to keep them updated on all progress. By letting them know how things are moving along, it may keep you out of trouble and cut down on any related issues. Court orders are not something to be ignored! Follow these five steps listed above to help find the right insurance and avoid unnecessary fines or charges. Page 4

5 Child Support Life Insurance In the past, some divorced couples have found their way of living significantly altered when their former spouse unexpectedly passed away leaving them with no child support. To best protect everyone involved, courts are often requiring individuals to carry life insurance in addition to paying regular alimony or child support. This child support life insurance will continue to help fund your child s care, even if you suffer from a fatal accident or illness. Even-though life insurance for divorce is important for the well-being of the child and may have an affect on their standing with the court, many people find themselves scurrying to take action right before time to choose a policy expires. You may be at fault in the occurrence of delaying attainment of insurance due to your procrastination or your insurance agent not efficiently doing their job. To make sure that child support life insurance is quickly attained, it is vital that the three steps listed below are followed Tell your agent that the insurance has been court ordered. Those working with you need to know that your divorce and life insurance go hand-inhand. By advising your agent that the insurance has been court ordered you are helping them understand that putting off the process may bring about being charged with contempt of court and fined. Give your agent the date when insurance must be in place. Have the agent guarantee that you will be covered in time with life insurance divorce. Agree to keep communication lines open between your lawyer, the opposing lawyer, the court, and your insurance agent. If anyone starts to harass you about having divorce and life insurance issues resolved on time, give them the contact information for your agent. In most cases, agents want to put insurance cost first. Rather than working quickly, they will allow themselves time to choose a policy that will have the lowest payments. While cost is Page 5

6 Child Support Life Insurance important, complying with court deadlines should come first. Once advising an agent that your life insurance for divorce has been court ordered and there is a deadline, they will work much faster. Although placing a deadline first may cost more than choosing a plan based on payment, the difference in cost may possibly be as little as $10 per year. Spending $10 extra each year is far better than finding yourself in contempt of court and facing hundreds of dollars in fees! Aside from letting an agent know that your insurance has been court ordered, it is also important to express any pre-existing health problems that you may be experiencing. Eventhough it s tempting to hide health problems when looking for insurance, not voicing any pre-existing health issues to your agent can land you in trouble for fraud. It is best to find an agent that is experienced in impaired risk life insurance and can work around your health problems to still find you a great affordable plan. The last position an individual wants to find themselves in is being court ordered to obtain life insurance, only to find out that they do not qualify. For instance, if you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, few insurance providers will want to cover you. However, if you have a good agent, they will work with you to find plans that comply with your health problems and still fulfill your court obligation. Getting child support life insurance should not be something that you put off! Talk to your agent today and find out how they can work with you to get you the best plan for life insurance for divorce in the quickest manner. Page 6

7 Divorce and Life Insurance Divorces are difficult for everyone involved, especially for parents who find themselves trying to work through issues such as child support, visitation, and family counseling. Divorce settlements and agreements can vary tremendously from one to the next. Since each settlement is unique and difficult, be prepared to face all the possibilities of divorce life insurance. This article will explain how divorce and life insurance often go hand-in hand, and how life insurance divorce may play a part in your legal proceedings. The first issue to address is who will actually own the life insurance policy. In many cases, the custodial parent is named the owner of the child support life insurance policy. The owner of the policy has the ability to name beneficiaries, making it possible for the surviving parents to bequeath funds to children. Discuss with your lawyer about provisions that would protect the policy against changes. For example, in many cases, if a policy expires or the beneficiary is changed, a provision would allow for the surviving children to be entitled to part of the deceased parents estate equaling their share of the court ordered life insurance policy. If in charge of paying child support or alimony, your first step of action may be to transfer policy ownership to your former spouse or to the custodian of your minor children. Speedy transfer leaves you assured that if something unexpected happens, your children will still be well cared for. This child support life insurance is a guarantee for the well-being of your children. Often the court will order a spouse to pay alimony or child support. These payments for court ordered life insurance usually last a specific amount of time. For instance, child support is necessary until a child becomes a legal adult; therefor, child support life insurance is only required until children are grown. If you find yourself supporting your former spouse and children you can opt to choose a life insurance divorce plan that will only be effective as long as you are required to pay alimony or child support. Page 7

8 Divorce and Life Insurance It is an understandably difficult process to work with insurance while also struggling through a divorce. If needing help making important decisions or wanting to know more about life insurance divorce, click here for additional information. It does not matter if you have been court ordered life insurance or if you have questions about your former spouse s child support life insurance policy; Lifeline Direct Insurance Services will work to help you find the answers you need. Page 8

9 Your Rights and Entitlements When dealing with the legal system, it is important to be aware of your rights and entitlements. Knowing exactly what the law is can help you know how it can work for you and what will be expected from you. Divorce and life insurance are no exceptions! If you are going through a court process and life insurance divorce is involved, it is vital that you know laws pertaining to the situation. While laws concerning divorce and life insurance can be challenging to understand, they are in place to make sure that both parties are protected and that investments are handled properly. Listed below are various laws concerning divorce and life insurance, and how they may affect those involved. During a divorce, a father may be court ordered to leave some of his life insurance benefits to his children. Likewise, a supporting mother may be court ordered to provide life insurance. Several courts require a spouse to acquire life insurance to cover their alimony or child support payments in the case of death. This child support life insurance is often the best way for children to be protected. To receive death benefits, a spouse must still be named as a beneficiary on the life insurance divorce policy. Those who have been court ordered life insurance must list beneficiaries on the policy. Depending on the stipulations of the court ordered life insurance, an individual can be required to leave money behind to a former spouse or their children. In some cases, a spouse may let his or her child support life insurance expire. To recompense those who should receive benefits from court ordered life insurance the court may give the survivors property of equal value. Other individuals completely ignore laws and take no action; in a case such as this the other spouse would have the opportunity to ask the court to force an amendment of the situation through a court order. If a spouse refuses to comply with court ordered life insurance, they can be charged and fined. Life insurance divorce is an important part of providing for those you love and care for. While there are many other laws involving life insurance for divorce, only a few have been outlined above. If you are going through a divorce that involves court ordered life insurance Page 9

10 Your Rights and Entitlements consider visiting the web site. Lifeline Direct Insurance Services will be more than happy to help you solve all of your questions regarding life insurance for divorce. Page 10

11 Important Issues No matter how well a separated couple gets along, divorce is never a fun process. Regardless of the circumstances, almost everyone finds a divorce procedure to be financially, mentally, and emotionally stressful. When working on a settlement, many different issues are certain to come up. One very important thing that many people forget is life insurance. No matter how unimportant it may seem, life insurance for divorce is an imperative guarantee that your children will be cared for if you pass. When faced with the subject of divorce and life insurance, there are several significant issues that should be addressed: 1. Children as Beneficiaries. When a married couple buys life insurance, they often name each other as beneficiaries. After a divorce, couples usually choose to award death benefits to someone other than their former spouse. Many parents decide to put their children as beneficiaries, securing them financial stability even if they re not alive to provide for them. Some courts may order you to provide child support life insurance and leave benefits to your children. While conversing over a settlement, discuss naming your children as a beneficiary. 2. Policy Owner. Since being named the policy owner means that one is in charge of any changes, it s a title that few people want to relinquish to their former spouse. Normally when a divorcing couple is unable to decide who should relinquish ownership the decision is left up to the court. Court ordered life insurance policies can vary depending on where an individual lives, the specific case, and the judge. 3. Life Insurance for Alimony. Even if child support is not involved, many divorces require one spouse to pay alimony to the other. Alimony is usually awarded to the spouse who made less money during the marriage. The person required to pay alimony Page 11

12 Important Issues should keep their former spouse as a beneficiary on their life insurance divorce policy. In doing so, a spouse can continue to collect benefits even if the supporter passes. After settling all the problems surrounding divorce and life insurance, it is still important to keep an eye on your policy, always contemplate decisions and how they will impact both you and your children. Listed below are three questions you should ask yourself and take into consideration when making choices that involve court ordered life insurance for divorce. 1. Has There Been a Change in My Needs? Depending on your situation prior to divorce, your position in life may have changed drastically. Perhaps you used to stay at home taking care of the children while your spouse worked. Now that you are on your own your income maybe less than it was in the past. Consider life insurance policies that can help provide money for the future needs of your children such as higher education, vehicles, or a wedding. 2. Would a Plan Change Be Best? Unless the court has ordered you to maintain your current insurance plan, you are at liberty to change your policy to fit your personal needs. If, after finalizing your divorce, you discover that your income is greater than it has been in the past you might consider increasing your policy. Since a life insurance divorce policy is a lot like a savings account which earns interest and increases value, you can continue to pay into it for future use. You can select to save the funds for retirement or put the money back for your children to use upon your passing. 3. Are Riders Necessary? After surveying their life insurance for divorce, many find that changes to the policy are necessary to meet all their needs. Riders make this possible. Riders are optional and can be used to custom-fit your policy to your life. Two riders, Waiver of premium and disability income, are often used in the policies of single, divorced people. Page 12