# S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-6: Proceeds of life insurance payable to estate of decedent--Rights of surviving spouse or minor children--Amount of exemption--Payment discharging insurer from liability

> South Dakota · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-6

## Section

- **Citation:** S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-6
- **Heading:** Proceeds of life insurance payable to estate of decedent--Rights of surviving spouse or minor children--Amount of exemption--Payment discharging insurer from liability
- **Jurisdiction:** South Dakota
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** SD Code / Title 43 / Chapter 45 / Section 43-45-6

## Text

The proceeds of any insurance upon the life of any person residing in this state, at the time of his death and who leaves a surviving widow, husband, or minor child or children, payable upon his death to his estate or personal representative, and not assigned to any other person, shall, to any amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars, inure to the use of such surviving widow, husband, minor child or children; and such amount shall not be subject to the payment of any debt of such decedent, or of such surviving widow, husband, minor child or children. Whenever the proceeds of such insurance become payable and the insurer makes payment thereof to the personal representative of the estate of such person, such payment shall fully discharge the insurer from all claims under the policy or contract, and such insurer need not follow the distribution of such payment.

Source: SL 1895, ch 89; RCCivP 1903, § 348; RC 1919, § 2661; SL 1923, ch 148; SDC 1939, § 51.1805; SL 1959, ch 280; SL 1995, ch 167, § 188.

## Nearby sections

- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-1 Scope of exemptions of personal property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-1.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-2 Property absolutely exempt](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-2.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-3 Homestead absolutely exempt--Extent of exemption when sold or divided by court order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-3.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-4 Additional property exemptions--Selection and appraisal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-4.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-6 Proceeds of life insurance payable to estate of decedent--Rights of surviving spouse or minor children--Amount of exemption--Payment discharging insurer from liability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-6.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-7 Persons to whom exemptions do not apply](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-7.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-8 Exemption not allowed for purchase money or construction costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-8.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-9 Debt incurred for property obtained under false pretenses--Allowance only of absolute exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-9.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-10 Judgment for fines, penalties, or costs of criminal prosecutions--Limited exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-10.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-11 Judgment for forfeiture of undertakings and bonds taken in criminal cases--Limited exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-11.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-12 Inventory and appraisement of exempted or other personal property--Return by officer having process of levy or sale](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-12.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-13 Certain federal bankruptcy exemptions not available](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-13.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-14 Exemption of earnings from garnishment process or levy-Bankruptcy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-14.md)
- [S.D. Codified Laws § 43-45-15 Legislative intent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-15.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SD_T43_C45_S43-45-6. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
