---
title: Life insurance after a divorce: What You Need and Why
url: https://coverfolk.com/for/divorced
updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Life insurance after a divorce

After a divorce, your old life insurance may still pay your ex.

[How much do I need?](/calculator)

Updated October 8, 20263 sources[Fact checked](/editorial-standards)

The short answer

Check every policy and change your beneficiary right away. If you pay or get child support, life insurance can protect those payments.

**26 states**States with laws that cancel an ex spouse as life insurance beneficiary on divorce, per the Supreme Court in Sveen v. Melin (2018).[Source: Sveen v. Melin, U.S. Supreme Court, June 11, 2018](https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/584/16-1432/)

Your beneficiary form controls who gets paid. Some states have laws that cancel an ex spouse as beneficiary when you divorce. The Supreme Court said 26 states had these laws in 2018.

But do not count on that law. It may not apply where you live, and you can still be named again. The safe move is to fill out a new beneficiary form.

Kids still need support after a divorce. Many parents get term life to cover child support or alimony if the paying parent dies.

## Tips that help

* Change your beneficiary on every policy, including work plans.
* Read your divorce order. It may require you to keep a policy.
* Name a trust for kids, not the kids directly.
* Price a new term policy to cover support payments.
* Keep a copy of every change form.

## Coverage that fits

[**Term life: The most coverage for the least money, for 10 to 30 years.**](/coverage/term-life)[**No exam: Many plans let you skip the needles and the nurse visit.**](/coverage/no-exam)[**Whole life: Coverage that lasts your whole life and builds cash value.**](/coverage/whole-life)

## Common questions

Does divorce remove my ex as beneficiary?

Sometimes. Some states do it by law, but not all. Change the form yourself to be sure.

Can my ex get Social Security if I die?

Possibly. SSA says a divorced spouse can qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, with some age rules.

Can I require my ex to have life insurance?

You can ask for it in the divorce deal. Talk to your lawyer before the deal is final.

## Sources

1. [Sveen v. Melin, U.S. Supreme Court, June 11, 2018 (Justia)](https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/584/16-1432/)
2. [Social Security Administration, Survivors Benefits, Publication 05-10084 (April 2026)](https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf)
3. [NAIC, Life Insurance Buyer's Guide (2026)](https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-lig-lp-consumer-life.pdf)