---
title: "Is Life Insurance Divided in a Quebec Divorce? ✦ Goldwater Droit"
canonical_url: "https://goldwaterdroit.com/en/faqs/is-life-insurance-divided-in-a-quebec-divorce"
last_updated: "2026-09-15T21:15:18.530Z"
locale: en
meta:
  description: "In Quebec, life insurance isn't part of the family patrimony (art. 415 C.c.Q.); its value falls under your matrimonial regime, and the beneficiary matters."
  "og:description": "In Quebec, life insurance isn't part of the family patrimony (art. 415 C.c.Q.); its value falls under your matrimonial regime, and the beneficiary matters."
  "og:title": "Is Life Insurance Divided in a Quebec Divorce?"
---

# Is life insurance divided in a Quebec divorce?

Life insurance is generally not part of the family patrimony, whose list under article 415 of the Civil Code of Québec is limited to residences, household furniture, family vehicles, and retirement rights. Instead, the value connected to a life insurance policy is dealt with under your matrimonial regime—by default the partnership of acquests, where articles 450 and 451 C.c.Q. address how insurance is classified—and its treatment depends on when and how the policy was funded. Two practical points follow: the cash value of a policy may be shared under the regime depending on the source of the premiums, and the beneficiary designation matters and does not change automatically on divorce. Reviewing and updating beneficiary designations is an important step to take with advice.

Civil Code of Québec, art. 415 (family patrimony list does not include life insurance) Civil Code of Québec, arts. 450–451 (life insurance under the partnership of acquests)