Are Death Ins Benefits part of Estate for Litigation?

[sonarc]

Sister and instructor died in Texas airline crash while renewing qualifications. Instructor's family hired atty and going to name sister's estate in suit. Probably will be faulty equipment, but (???).

Sister had life insurance and ADD policies w/ other members of family as beneficiaries. Are these part of the estate and subject to be claimed in lawsuit?

 

[lwpat]

No. They pass outside of the estate. I assume that you are also filing suit.

 

[sonarc]

Should have not said 'airline' but own private plane. Sister's estate not large to 'go after' (after expenses, probably $20K), so instructor's family atty may be wanting to put sister in as co-plantiff... no formal contact or paperwork yet - NTSB not through with investigation.

Plane sluggish on take-off. Flew 1300', about 150' altitude, nosed up, stalled and dived into ground. Instructor would be responsible party on board.... so, we'll wait and see if there was water in gas, bad carburator, etc.

Thank you for your response.