If you are divorced the policy should have been included in the settlement. If not, the chances are that you and your ex are both the lives assured and the policy owners. If that is so, you will get the death benefit if he dies before the policy matures, and vice-versa. If you are a joint owner, it doesn't matter who has been paying the premiums, you are still entitled to half of the cash in or maturity values. If that is so, he won't be able to cash the policy without your consent, so you still may have power over the policy.
Hope this helps.