life insurance and savings bonds

[luvjoy]

when a person passes away. Should a person hold the death certificate or does it matter.
Can a ex wife use the death certificate to cash in bonds, maybe life insurance?

is it against the law if i find out that she did this?

my father told me he had life insurance a month before he past away but i could never find it, his ex wife lived in the same state Kansas. i believe she got to it before me and my brother, is there any way to find out?

 

[army judge]

Talk to local veterans groups. They can advise you about this. Most states have a state agency or a county agency for vets. They can also assist you, if dad was a vet.

If she did that, yes it is a crime. Unless she was named a beneficiary. If you suspect foul play, the IRS might look into her finances for you.