How will your minor child be contacted if he was the beneficiary on his fathers life insurance?

In order to be paid, someone must notify the insurance company of the insured's death, and provide proof of death and file a proof of claim with the insurance company.

If the insured did not designate a beneficiary who is an adult, proceeds will ordinarily be paid to the insured's estate, and distributed according to the terms of the Will, or of none, according to the laws of descent and distribution of the state in which the insured died.

It is not the responsibility of the insurer to contact the beneficiary when the insured dies, because they are unaware of it.

Assuming the that the policy was not fully paid-up, meaning that it has not matured to the point where no further premiums had to be paid, if it was a whole life policy, further premiums will be taken out of the cash value until it has been exhausted. At that point, the policy will lapse for non-payment. If it was term insurance, if one or a few premiums were unpaid, depending upon the "grace period" stated in the policy, the policy will lapse for non-payment of premium.

It is crucial that anyone with life insurance ensure that beneficiaries know the identity of the insurer, policy numbers, and like information.