On behalf of Law Offices of Frye, Fortich & Garcia, P.L. | Feb 8, 2017 | Estate Planning
Many in Miami may joke about people wanting to do away with their wealthy parents or relatives so that they can inherent their money. Yet as difficult as it may be for some to believe, circumstances may actually arise where one who caused another’s death may attempt to claim inherited benefits. Most states (Florida included) have what are termed to be “slayer statutes” which prohibit a person who has killed someone else from benefiting from the decedent’s estate. However, simply because such laws are in place does not mean that some may believe their cases to qualify as exceptions.
Such a claim is currently being made by a Minnesota man seeking to receive money from his late mother’s life insurance policy. At first glance, it would seem that the state’s own slayer law would prohibit him for doing so considering that the man admitted to causing her death. His attorney states, however, that this may not apply to him given that he was not convicted of her murder. A judge determined him to be not guilty by reason of insanity after he killed his mother allegedly thinking that she was about to be evicted after he believed that his efforts to end a supposed bedbug infestation in her apartment had contaminated the local water supply.
The insurance company, in an effort to block the man’s receiving the benefit, has filed a lawsuit against him. If its efforts prove to be successful, the benefit would go to the woman’s other sons. People who are in such a position of having their inherited benefits snatched away through what they may believe to be a legal loophole may wish to work with an attorney to help protect their interests.
Source: Watertown Daily Times “He killed his mother, upset over bedbugs. Now he wants her life insurance.” Jan. 12, 2017
