I am so sorry for your losses here. The policy is the "property" of your Aunt's estate.  So the insuirance company can only realease it to the Personal Representative of her estate.  And the money goes to her heirs, not necessarily to you becuase you are listed as the contingent beneficiary.  You are going to have to prove to the court and to the company that you are the next of kin entitled to the funds. Check in to the small estate laws in your state. Good luck.