Dear Queenie,

I have a life insurance policy that names my adult son by my late husband as the beneficiary.

I am planning to be married again soon and my fiancé insists that I should put his name on the policy as beneficiary. He says that as my husband he would be entitled to the money anyway and not having his name on the policy would just cause a delay in his getting it.

Queenie, is he right? And what can I do to see to it that my son gets the money?—Worried widow

Dear Worried widow,

As I understand it, the insurance company will pay out the money only to the person named on the policy as beneficiary, providing that person outlives you. However, you should consult your insurance company's Customer Service Department, and possibly an attorney, to confirm your son's legal position in the matter.

You also should make a will specifying who gets what when you die. Don't try to do this yourself. Have the attorney do it for you.

You also should think twice about marrying a man who is so interested in the proceeds of your life insurance. And if you decide to marry him after all, you should insist on a prenuptial agreement that specifies just what he is and is not entitled to when – if – you die before he does. Again, you should consult an attorney – your own attorney, not your fiancé's.