In this day and age, it is not uncommon to have a former spouse (or more than one former spouse). If you are separated or divorced, however, you must remember to change your beneficiary designations.
Beneficiary designations are done through the financial institution or life insurance company. These designations are not automatically revoked on a separation or divorce; it is up to you to change them. If you don’t want your former spouse to receive your life insurance, especially if you have a new spouse, you must go yourself and change the name on the policy.