***Edit: Thanks for the help everyone. I get that questions from Quebec aren't popular here, but I don't understand why I'm getting so downvoted just for trying to understand something finance related in the language I decide to speak.

Please understand that handling an estate is not an easy thing to do, and compassion is needed.***

Hi, Husband died. The life insurance check was sent but it's "To the succession" and not me personally even though we were married due to an HR error.

SSQ explained that they had sent forms to HR, and HR was to distribute those forms to all employees. "To the succession" being the default name on the life insurance.

My husband working night shift, he never received the form to change the life insurance to my name only. (HR confirmed that it was in his work file and never sent)

So long story short, instead of a full amount of life insurance, I was told I can only spend 12,000$ of it and will get the remaining amount when the estate closes, which could take a year.

Which puts me in a situation where I might need to declare bankruptcy. Because rent, utilities, and everything is more than that, and I don't work. I'm disabled. And can't claim disability in my province (because I haven't worked enough in my life prior to being diagnosed)

Can someone explain the 12,000$ you can spend and how it works? Because I can't find the info. I have an appointment with the bank at the end of the month and I need to know what's coming.

Thank you.