My father recently passed. I am his only child, exectutor, and sole benefitiary. He had a seperate life insurance policy, that was not large...

Question

My father recently passed. I am his only child, exectutor, and sole benefitiary. He had a seperate life insurance policy, that was not large, but was suppose to go to me. When contacting the insurance company I learned his decease wife was his benefitiary. He was ill and never changed it. Now it goes to the estate, is taxed, and creditors and attorneys want their cut. My dad worked his entire life for a meager home they are forcing me to sell and now they get my life insurance. Doesn't seem fair. I am his next of kin, not the State of Iowa. So frustrated.

Answer

Well, the policy didn't go to you. Not much you can do about your late father's failure to act.