NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31A-11 (2026)

Insurance benefits

✓ current as of July 2026

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(a) Insurance and annuity proceeds payable to the slayer:

(1) As the beneficiary or assignee of any policy or certificate of insurance on the life of the decedent, or

(2) In any other manner payable to the slayer by virtue of his surviving the decedent, shall be paid to the person or persons who would have been entitled thereto as if the slayer had predeceased the decedent. If no alternate beneficiary is named, insurance and annuity proceeds shall be paid into the estate of the decedent.

(b) If the decedent is beneficiary or assignee of any policy or certificate of insurance on the life of the slayer, the proceeds shall be paid to the estate of the decedent upon the death of the slayer, unless the policy names some person other than the slayer or his estate as alternative beneficiary.

(c) Any insurance or annuity company making payment according to the terms of its policy or contract shall not be subjected to additional liability by the terms of this chapter if such payment or performance is made without notice of circumstances tending to bring it within the provisions of this Chapter. (1961, c. 210, s. 1; 1989, c. 485, s. 3.)

§ 31A-12. Persons acquiring from slayer protected.

The provisions of this Chapter shall not affect the right of any person who, before the interests of the slayer have been adjudicated, acquires from the slayer for adequate consideration property or an interest therein which the slayer would have received except for the terms of this Chapter, provided the same is acquired without notice of circumstances tending to bring it within the provisions of this Chapter; but all consideration received by the slayer shall be held by him in trust for the persons entitled to the property under the provisions of this Chapter, and the slayer shall also be liable both for any portion of such consideration which he may have dissipated, and for any difference between the actual value of the property and the amount of such consideration. (1961, c. 210, s. 1.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1974–2022 · leading case: Quick v. United Benefit Life Ins., 213 S.E.2d 563 (N.C. 1975).

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Quick v. United Benefit Life Ins., 213 S.E.2d 563 (N.C. 1975). · cites it 2× “If so, G.S. 31A-11 disqualifies her as a beneficiary under the policy.”

California-W. States Life Ins. v. Sanford, 515 F. Supp. 524 (E.D. La. 1981). “The North Carolina statute prohibits a “slayer” from receiving the proceeds of a policy on the life of his victim, N.C.Gen.Stat. § 31A-11 (1976), and defines “slayer” as “[a]ny person who by a court of competent jurisdiction shall have been convicted as a principal or accessory…”

Gardner v. Nationwide Life Ins. Co., 206 S.E.2d 818 (N.C. Ct. App. 1974). “) Plaintiff, notwithstanding the fact that alternative beneficiaries were enumerated in the insurance policy, contends that the proceeds should be paid to the estate of the decedent-beneficiary because the alternative beneficiaries enumerated in the insurance policy are…”

New York Life Ins. Co. v. Terry (M.D.N.C. 2021). · cites it 4× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31A-11 provides that: [i]nsurance and annuity proceeds payable to the slayer .”

The Indep. Order of Foresters v. Ellis-Batchelor (E.D. Mich. 2021). “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31A-11(a). Defendants Steven Batchelor and Sharon Bond (“Bond”) were named as beneficiaries under the Policy before Batchelor changed the beneficiary to Ellis-Batchelor, and Bond also submitted a formal claim to Foresters for the Benefit.”

The Indep. Order of Foresters v. Ellis-Batchelor (E.D. Mich. 2022). “NC Gen. Stat. § 31A-11. Foresters stated that it requested but did not receive confirmation that the Suffolk Police did not consider Ellis- Batchelor a suspect in William Batchelor’s murder.”

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31A-11(a) — 1 case

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31A-11(a)(2) — 1 case

New York Life Ins. Co. v. Terry (M.D.N.C. 2021). “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31A-11 provides that: [i]nsurance and annuity proceeds payable to the slayer .”

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