Common law spouse: claim to life insurance proceeds?

Life insurance is an asset of a marriage. Under Texas law, assets acquired during marriage are typically considered community property, owned by both spouses. Under some circumstances, a spouse may have a claim to life insurance proceeds even if they are not the designated beneficiary.

But what if the marriage was established by common law? Generally the same community property analysis applies. If the property was purchased after the marriage was established, the surviving spouse may have a claim to half of the proceeds even if they are not the designated beneficiary.