Answer:
Answer by John Burnett: If it says it anywhere, it would be a function of state law.
For example, I believe that Section 178 of Title 15 of Oklahoma's statutes provides that a POD designation of a spouse prior to divorce from that spouse is invalidated unless the document naming the spouse indicated that the depositor intended for the designation to survive a divorce, or the depositor remarries the spouse, or if the depositor re-designates the former spouse as payable on death beneficiary after the divorce.
You'll have to check your state's laws for similar provisions.
Answer:
Answer by Ken Golliher: To illustrate that John's first statement is clearly correct, in Kentucky divorce revokes any provision in a will that is in favor of the former spouse. The statute has no effect on POD provisions in bank accounts in favor of the former spouse; the "Ex" gets the money.
Check the law of your state.
First published on BankersOnline.com 4/4/11
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