You are entitled to no proceeds from the life policy if the beneficiary or contingent beneficiary is still alive.
Probably Spouse first, then his Estate then the children.
If she is named on the life insurance as a beneficiary. If the insurance goes into the estate as some policies do, she could be entitled to a share. Much of it will depend on how the will is written. If there is no will, it may vary depending on the laws of the state in question.
You will need to contact the life insurance company that held the policy. However, be aware due to US Privacy Laws you may not be entitled to receive any information. If proof of death has been shown of the insured (your father in this case) only the beneficiary (s) will be entitled to receive any information. That will depend on whether you were a beneficiary or not.
Then you will receive whatever the life insurance policy states. These are two separate issues / documents and have nothing to do with each other.
The life insurance would be the daughter's. The retirement could be affected by state laws regarding the funds and might be able to be designated to a spouse. The father should definitely update his paperwork to reflect the new marriage, even if he leaves the daughter as the beneficiary.
Yes, you are fully entitled to decline to receive the benefits. There are a few instances where it might make tax sense to do so. Or to leave more for those that need it more. Consult a probate attorney, but there shouldn't be an issue.
No. Life insurance proceeds are not taxable. However, depending on the trust, the earnings, if any, while in the trust may well be.
I am assuming the father is still living? In any event, a life insurance policy is not a probate asset, meaning that it does not pass in the will (exception being certain trusts). The insurance policy is a contract, and passed by operation of law.
If the girlfriend is still alive then she can change her beneficiary. If she died and didn't change her beneficiary then you may have a claim if her estate went to your father. You should speak to an attorney. You refer to a "policy holder" in your question as well as an "estate". If the subject is a life insurance policy and your father was the beneficiary but was deceased when the insured died then be aware that the girlfriend probably named a contingent beneficiary on her policy.
100 per week
100 per week
An adult child is a natural beneficiary to an estate. If there is no will, and there is no spouse, they are likely to get the estate.