If a child is not listed on the parents life insurance policy before death, are they entitled to anything after they die?

Life insurance policy is a contract, separate from a will, trust or any other estate planning document.  This means that a person who is named as a beneficiary on the life insurance policy will receive the proceeds.  If the children are not named as beneficiaries, unfortunately, they are not entitled to the proceeds, regardless of the fact that they may be the only heirs as to the rest of their parents' assets.