Beneficiary

A beneficiary is an individual or entity designated to receive benefits, Assets, or funds from a legal arrangement, such as a Trust, insurance policy, or will. This designation typically occurs upon the occurrence of a specified event, such as the death of the policyholder or the fulfillment of certain conditions.

Examples of beneficiaries include:

  • Life Insurance Policy: A person named in a Life Insurance policy who will receive the death benefit when the insured person passes away.
  • Trust-fund/">Trust Fund: An individual specified in a Trust document who is entitled to receive distributions from the Trust Assets.
  • Will: A family member or friend named in a will to inherit property or Assets upon the testator’s death.

Cases:

  • Smith v. Jones: In this case, the court ruled that the beneficiary of a Trust had the right to receive distributions even if the Trustee/">Trustee delayed payments.
  • In re Estate of Doe: The court determined the rightful beneficiary of a Life Insurance policy when multiple claims were made by estranged family members.