Life Insurance for the custodial parent

Hi, I am in the initial stages of a divorce proceedings. However, I am quite vague as to what I am legally entitled to. I gave up my career and just became a devoted housewife and mother of one child during the last 9 years. Therefore, I have very very little asset under my name and my earning capacity has been greatly diminished due to advanced age and being out of the loop for a long time.


I received the petition for divorce and it states that I will be given sole custody of my child. However, it also states that my life insurance will no longer be paid by my future ex.


Now, given these terms, isn't it that the custodial parent needs the life insurance more than the non-custodial parent? Should anything happen to the custodial parent, without a life insurance, what will happen to the child? She will not get anything. Can the court give an injunction on this?


What am I legally entitled to? Btw, I went to Legal Aid to ask for legal representation, but they said, unless the petition is stamped from the family court, they cannot give me any legal help. (Im quite confused with this system acutally.)

Whom is the policyholder of the Life Insurance? If it's ur name, ur safe. If it's not ur name, then have it changed asap.


Not necessary to split the cash value, don't worry if u can't continue the premium payments.

Thanks for all your reply. Fortunately, I was named the policy holder and payor (even if my spouse was paying the premium). He is the beneficiary though, but Im sure I can have that changed and have my daughter as the beneficiary. Or is it possible? As the policy owner, I do have the right to do this right?

As policy holder u have all the rights. Change the beneficiary NOW.


Depending on the type of life policy u have it may require the beneficiaries consent to change. But check with ur insurer.