Are civil unions recognized for life insurance benefits?
The short answer to the question of whether civil unions are recognized for life insurance benefits in Texas is no. Texas does not currently recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships in any form, and most life insurance companies that operate in Texas do not recognize them either. This means that a partner in a civil union will not be able to enjoy the same life insurance benefits as married couples. Currently, the only way in Texas for a couple in a civil union to enjoy any sort of legal recognition is to have their union solemnized in another state that recognizes civil unions. This would involve a trip to a different jurisdiction, and could be costly. When it comes to life insurance benefits, the best option for two partners in a civil union is to have the partner who is more likely to outlive the other buy the life insurance policy. If the life insurance policy is written solely in the name of one partner, then the surviving partner would be able to collect the death benefit. To be clear, while life insurance policies in Texas will not consider a civil union or domestic partnership when it comes to benefit eligibility, they will often consider a partner as a beneficiary. Having a beneficiary listed on a life insurance policy means that the policy’s death benefit will be paid to them in the event of the policyholder’s death.
Related FAQs
Does a civil union provide any estate or inheritance rights?How is a civil union different from marriage?
Are civil unions recognized in public benefits?
Are civil unions recognized on death certificates?
Does a civil union provide any rights to a surviving partner?
Can a civil union be converted into a domestic partnership?
Are civil unions recognized in Social Security and Medicare benefits?
Does a civil union require a lawyer to draft it?
Is the legal validity of a civil union recognized in other states?
What is a civil union?
Related Blog Posts
Explaining Civil Union Laws: An Overview of How They Work - July 31, 2023Civil Union Laws: What You Need to Know Before Entering into One - August 7, 2023
Estate Planning Considerations for Couples in a Civil Union - August 14, 2023
Benefits and Disadvantages of Entering into a Civil Union - August 21, 2023
Types of Civil Union Laws and How They Differ from Traditional Marriage - August 28, 2023