In order to buy life insurance on another person, there must exist an insurable interest between the two parties. For instance, an insurable interest exists between spouses, parents and their children, siblings, and business partners.
If you owned the life insurance policy when the two of you were still married, you can continue to own it after your divorce.
Insurable interest means you stand a chance of financial loss if the insured person dies. Ex-wives can have life insurance on their ex-husbands because they may lose out financially if the ex-husband dies and is unable to pay them child support, or spousal support.
However, if you are going to start a life insurance policy on your ex-husband, you may need his permission, he may have to answer some health questions, and submit to a physical exam, as well as, sign the application for life insurance.
Here's how you can learn more about what is insurable interest and how does it work.