Frequently Asked Questions
What does a life insurance lawyer do?
A life insurance lawyer helps beneficiaries and policyholders resolve problems such as denied claims, delayed payouts, interpleader lawsuits, beneficiary disputes, ERISA appeals, and bad-faith claim handling.
Our firm represents clients nationwide and steps in when the insurance company refuses to pay what you are owed. We gather evidence, challenge wrongful denials, negotiate with the insurer, and—when necessary—file suit to recover full benefits.
Why was my life insurance claim denied?
Life insurance companies deny claims for many reasons, including:
Alleged misrepresentation on the application
Lapsed policies or missed premium payments
Disputes over beneficiary designation
Ex-spouse or family conflicts
Employer mistakes in ERISA group coverage
“Cause of death” exclusions (suicide, drug/alcohol, etc.)
Contestability investigations
Missing documents
If your claim was denied for any reason, our life insurance attorney will review the denial letter and identify the fastest path to overturning it.
Can a life insurance company deny a claim after two years?
Usually no. After the 2-year contestability period ends, insurers generally cannot deny or rescind a policy based on alleged misstatements, omissions, or old medical history—even if they claim it was fraud.
The only narrow exceptions are:
Non-payment of premium
Certain riders (accidental death riders, supplemental coverage)
If you’re facing a post-contestability denial, contact us immediately for a free review.
How long does it take to receive life insurance benefits?
Most life insurance payouts occur within 30–60 days, but delays happen when the insurer requests additional records or launches an investigation.
If your claim has been “under review” for longer than 60 days, that may be an unlawful delay. A life insurance lawyer can compel the company to move forward or face legal action.
Can I fight a life insurance denial?
Absolutely. Most denials can be overturned with a strong appeal or legal challenge.
Our appeals include:
Full medical record review
Policy interpretation
Legal arguments under state and federal law
Discovery of insurer errors or bad-faith practices
Many clients win benefits without ever going to court.
What is an ERISA life insurance appeal?
If your policy is provided by your employer, your claim is governed by ERISA, a federal law with strict deadlines. You usually have 60 days to file an administrative appeal. ERISA appeals must be comprehensive because courts rarely allow new evidence later. Our ERISA life insurance attorney builds the entire record upfront to maximize your chance of success.
Can I dispute a life insurance beneficiary?
Yes. Beneficiary disputes happen when:
An ex-spouse is still listed
There are allegations of undue influence or incapacity
A beneficiary change was unclear or improperly executed
There are competing claims from children, partners, or family
Our firm handles complex interpleader lawsuits and disputes involving wills, divorce decrees, and state “revocation-on-divorce” laws.
What if my ex-spouse is still the beneficiary?
Whether an ex-spouse can collect life insurance depends on:
State law
Divorce decree
Whether the policy is ERISA or private
Revocation-on-divorce statutes
Whether a valid change of beneficiary was filed
Our attorneys analyze the policy, divorce documents, and applicable law to determine who is legally entitled to the payout.
Does a death investigation delay my life insurance payout?
Sometimes insurers delay claims by requesting police reports, autopsy results, or medical history.
However, they cannot delay indefinitely.
If your claim is being held up under “investigation,” our law firm can pressure the insurer to release benefits faster or document the delay as bad faith.
What is a bad-faith life insurance denial?
Bad faith occurs when an insurance company:
Delays payment without a valid reason
Misinterprets policy language
Ignores evidence
Harasses beneficiaries for unnecessary documents
Offers an unfair low-ball settlement
We pursue compensation, interest, attorney’s fees, and penalties when insurers act in bad faith.
Can I hire a life insurance attorney if I live in another state?
Yes. We represent beneficiaries nationwide.
Life insurance claims are often governed by federal law, which allows attorneys to help clients regardless of location. All consultations are remote and free.
How much does it cost to hire a life insurance lawyer?
Most life insurance cases are handled on a contingency fee, meaning:
No upfront cost
No hourly fees
We only get paid if we recover your benefits
This makes legal representation affordable for anyone facing a denial or dispute.
What documents do I need to start my case?
To begin, we typically need:
The denial letter (if applicable)
Policy documents
Claim forms
Death certificate
Any letters/emails from the insurer
If you don’t have everything, we can obtain the missing documents directly from the insurer.
How can a life insurance lawyer speed up my claim?
We can:
Contact the insurer directly
Demand timelines and updates
Stop unnecessary document requests
Submit evidence quickly
Initiate legal pressure
These steps often cut review time dramatically.
Need Help With a Life Insurance Claim or Denial?
If your life insurance claim is denied, delayed, or disputed, you don’t have to fight the insurance company alone.