State Exemption Statute

Definition of "State exemption statute"

Karole Lewis, Real Estate Agent Coldwell Banker

Laws in most cases protecting life insurance policies from an insured's creditors. These laws typically exempt death benefit proceeds and policy cash values from attachment by creditors, particularly if the beneficiary is a spouse or child of the insured. Many exemption laws have limits, with all insurance proceeds over a certain amount, say $20,000, available to the insured's creditors. In some states, endowment and ANNUITY policies are granted less protection from creditors than ORDINARY LIFE INSURANCE because such policies are often used as investment vehicles.