Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Ohio

If the life insurance had a named beneficiary (someone other than her estate) then it would not be part of her probate estate.

Generally, life insurance proceeds are not a part of a decedent's estate if a beneficiary is named on the policy. The bills of the decedent are paid out of probate assets only and not life insurance payable to a beneficiary. In some cases, a beneficiary predeceases the insured, and there is not a contingent or secondary beneficiary named. In that case, the life insurance proceeds will become a probate asset and are subject to the creditors of the estate. If you would like additional information or further assistance, please contact my office at http://www.socrateslegal.com .