No person who commits murder or voluntary manslaughter or who conspires with another to commit murder shall receive any benefits from any insurance policy on the life of the deceased, even though the person so killing or conspiring be named beneficiary in the insurance policy. A plea of guilty or a judicial finding of guilt not reversed or otherwise set aside as to any of such crimes shall be prima-facie evidence of guilt in determining rights under this Code section. All right, interest, estate, and proceeds in such an insurance policy shall go to the other heirs of the deceased who may be entitled thereto by the laws of descent and distribution of this state, unless secondary beneficiaries be named in the policy, in which event such secondary beneficiaries shall take.
History. Code 1933, § 56-2506, enacted by Ga. L. 1960, p. 289, § 1.
Cross references.
Homicide generally, § 16-5-1 et seq.
Law reviews.
For annual survey of insurance law, see 56 Mercer L. Rev. 253 (2004).
For note, “Vesting Title in a Murderer: Where is the Equity in the Georgia Supreme Court’s Interpretation of the Slayer Statute in Levenson?,” see 45 Ga. L. Rev. 877 (2011).
Structure Georgia Code
§ 33-25-1. “Contract of Life Insurance” Defined
§ 33-25-3. Required Policy Provisions Generally
§ 33-25-4. Required Nonforfeiture Provisions
§ 33-25-5. Inclusion of Provisions Excluding or Restricting Liability for Death
§ 33-25-6. When Issuance of Participating and Nonparticipating Policies Permissible
§ 33-25-7. Effect of Incontestable Clause
§ 33-25-10. Payment of Interest on Proceeds or Payments Under Policies
§ 33-25-12. Contesting of Policy After Reinstatement
§ 33-25-14. Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits; Purpose; Definitions; Insurer Conduct