Mo. Rev. Stat. § 461.054

Current with changes from the 2023 Legislative Session
Section 461.054 - Disqualification for fraud, duress and undue influence and causing owner's death - proceeding to determine disqualification
1. A beneficiary designation or a revocation of a beneficiary designation that is procured by fraud, duress or undue influence is void.
2. A beneficiary who willfully and unlawfully causes or participates with another in causing the death of the owner, or the insured individual under a life insurance policy or certificate, is disqualified from receiving any benefit of a nonprobate transfer from the owner or any proceeds payable as a result of the death of an individual insured under a life insurance policy or certificate. The beneficiary designation shall be given effect as if the disqualified beneficiary had disclaimed it. The fact that a beneficiary willfully and unlawfully caused or participated with another in causing the death of the owner may be established by a criminal conviction or guilty plea, after the right of direct appeal has been exhausted, or determined in a proceeding pursuant to subsection 3 of this section using a preponderance of the evidence standard.
3. On petition of any interested person or the transferring entity, the trier of fact shall determine whether a beneficiary designation or a revocation of a beneficiary designation is void by reason of subsection 1 of this section or whether subsection 2 of this section applies to prevent any person from receiving any benefit of the nonprobate transfer. The trier of fact may mitigate the effect of subsection 1 or 2 on any person as the trier of fact determines justice requires. Any party may demand a jury trial.

§ 461.054, RSMo

L. 1989 H.B. 145 § 35, A.L. 1995 S.B. 116