In Pennsylvania, what's the requirement for a minor to receive proceeds from a death benefit?

• A. A court order
• B. A guardian must be appointed
• C. The deceased's executor
• D. No special requirement

Answer: (B)

In Pennsylvania, a minor cannot directly receive or manage life insurance proceeds, so a guardian must be appointed to receive and oversee the death benefit on the minor’s behalf. This guardian acts as a fiduciary, holding the funds in trust for the minor until they reach the age of majority (18 in PA) or another court-ordered arrangement. This protective mechanism ensures the money is used for the minor’s welfare and managed prudently rather than being paid out directly to someone who can’t legally handle it.

A court order on its own isn’t the default mechanism for distribution to a minor, the deceased’s executor isn’t automatically involved in handling a minor’s proceeds, and there is indeed a special requirement when the beneficiary is a minor.