Dad of fallen Marine denied death benefits

[unhappycamper]

Dad of fallen Marine denied death benefits
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 29, 2009 14:10:23 EST

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that the father of a Marine killed in Iraq is not entitled to a share of death benefits that went to his mother.

The appeals court said Tuesday that Levi Angell, of Cloquet, had designated his mother as the sole beneficiary of his military life insurance policy and a related federal death benefit. The 20-year-old lance corporal was killed in combat in 2004. His mother received just over $500,000.

His parents, Gordon and Loretta Angell, divorced last year, and a lower court had awarded $150,000 of those benefits to the Marine's father. He's 67, has no savings or pension and lives on Social Security.

The appeals court says federal law prevents courts from dividing military death benefits when one parent is the sole beneficiary.


Article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_mc_deadmarine_benefits_122909/

[MercutioATC]

1. Yep. Laws are funny things sometimes.

The bottom line is that Levi Angell CHOSE to make his mother the sole beneficiary. The legal issues aside, giving the entire amount to his mother is in keeping with his wishes.

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. yes, but they weren't separated when he filed his benefit papers

so he probably never thought about his parents splitting up, and if he did, who's to say he would have wanted his father to be penniless.

[Solly Mack]

2. I've seen some ugly family fights surrounding the death benefits

I'm glad the appeal court honored the wishes of the Marine. He named the beneficiary he wanted. If he had wanted his father to have any, he could have named him along with the mother.

[FreakinDJ]

3. MOST young solders make their mother Sole Beneficiary

and even send home US Government Savings Bonds with Mom's name on them for safe keeping

[Captain Hilts]

4. He designated his mother, so that's who gets it. That's how it works. Always has. nt