Battle Continues Over Powell’s Life Insurance Policy
The latest legal action in the ongoing battle over Josh and Susan Powell’s life insurance money took place last Friday, when the mother and sister of Josh Powell asked a judge to declare that Susan Cox Powell’s death occurred before March of 2013.
Terrica and Alina Powell, who are the representatives of the estate of Michael Powell, filed a complaint in the 3rd District Court against Chuck Cox, the father of Susan Powell, the missing West Valley Mother. Last month, the district judge ruled in favor of Cox in his fight over conservatorship of his daughter’s estate, denying a request by Terrica and Alina to void Cox’s declaration making him the sole beneficiary of a trust Josh and Susan Powell established; essentially cutting out Terrica and Alina as beneficiaries of $2.3 million in life insurance proceeds.
It is presumed that Susan Powell was murdered by her husband, Josh Powell, although her body has yet to be found. Josh Powell later killed himself and the couple’s two young sons. Under state law, a person must be missing for at least five years in order to be declared legally dead—Powell disappeared on Dec. 6, 2009.
In May, a federal judge in Washington issued an order dividing the money from three separate life insurance policies tied to Josh and Susan Powell. The proceeds would be deposited in the trust upon Susan Powell’s official death this December.
See Pat Reavy, Josh Powell’s Family Asks Judge to Declare Susan Powell ‘Dead’, Desert News, Oct. 3, 2014.