Georgia slayer statute

Like most other states, Georgia has a specific prohibition against a beneficiary receiving life insurance proceeds if they willfully kill the insured.

The Georgia statute provides: "No person who commits murder or voluntary manslaughter or who conspires with another to commit murder shall receive any benefits from any insurance policy on the life of the deceased, even though the person so killing or conspiring be named beneficiary in the insurance policy. A plea of guilty or a judicial finding of guilt not reversed or otherwise set aside as to any of such crimes shall be prima-facie evidence of guilt in determining rights under this Code section. All right, interest, estate, and proceeds in such an insurance policy shall go to the other heirs of the deceased who may be entitled thereto by the laws of descent and distribution of this state, unless secondary beneficiaries be named in the policy, in which event such secondary beneficiaries shall take."

If you believe you can challenge a benefit payment, or if someone has challenged a payment to you, it is extremely important to consult an experienced life insurance beneficiary lawyer as soon as possible.