An "ex-wife" is a woman who was previously married but is no longer in that marital relationship. This change in status typically occurs due to divorce, which is a legal process that ends a marriage. An ex-wife may retain her former spouse's last name or choose to revert to her maiden name after the divorce. The term "ex-wife" can also relate to various aspects of family dynamics, such as co-parenting if there are children involved. In such cases, both the ex-wife and her former spouse may need to navigate shared responsibilities and communication regarding their children, often referred to as co-parents.