Divorce, as everyone knows, can sometimes be a messy process. Marriages can and do end in bitterness, and sometimes partners take steps to hurt each other as things are collapsing.

One of the areas spouses sometimes choose to hurt each other is in regard to insurance. Whether it is life, car, home or other insurance, spouses have found ways to harm each other during divorce in this area. Unfortunately, partners sometimes not only harm each other, but also their children.

When there are underage children, it is a good idea for divorcing spouses to make one another the irrevocable beneficiaries of life insurance policies. This ensures the children will be cared for. Divorce agreements may also specify that spouses maintain health and life insurance. This prevents a spouse from dropping the family from his or her plan.

In terms of car insurance, it is smart for divorcing couples to regularly check their license plates. An angry ex-spouse could choose to end a policy mid-term, to remove the license plates, take title and registration to the DMV and fill out insurance forms claiming the vehicle is no longer in use. Regular checking will catch this.

Some states have laws which prevent insurance revenge regarding auto, life and health insurance. California, for example has statutes which automatically prevent either party to a divorce from canceling any insurance. To cancel any insurance, express written consent of the other spouse or a court order must be obtained. Offending parties may be charged with contempt of court.

Even these laws don't prevent cancellations of insurance in every case, though. One remedy against this is to send a letter to your insurers letting them know you're going through a divorce and they are not allowed to cancel you as a beneficiary or to cancel your insurance while the divorce is pending.

So even though you can't always protect your marriage from falling apart, hopefully you can prevent your insurance policies from being cancelled.

Source: Fox Business, "How to protect yourself from 'insurance revenge' during divorce," Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, December 13, 2011.