{"id":2291,"date":"2019-05-20T00:00:20","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T00:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fdfamilylaw.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=2291"},"modified":"2023-04-26T14:59:42","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T14:59:42","slug":"changing-your-last-name-after-divorce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fdfamilylaw.com\/changing-your-last-name-after-divorce\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing Your Last Name After Divorce"},"content":{"rendered":"
During divorce proceedings, the couple, along with their lawyers, typically come to an agreement on the division of assets and debts, parenting time, child support, and alimony.\u00a0 When the case cannot be resolved, the issues are litigated before the court.\u00a0 However, there is one exception to the typical give and take of a negotiated settlement or argument at a trial.\u00a0 That exception involves an individual\u2019s choice to either keep or change their last name as part of the divorce proceedings.There are, of course, good reasons both for keeping your married name, and changing it when you divorce.\u00a0 Below we discuss some common reasons people pick one over the other.\n

Keeping the Family Name For the Family<\/h2>\n

Some parents choose to keep their current last name to provide consistency for the children.\u00a0 Children often experience significant upheaval during a divorce.\u00a0 Keeping the common last name may provide some children with a sense of security.\u00a0 It also provides reassurance that not everything in their lives is changing, even though many things are.\u00a0 Finally, particularly in families with young children, some people express an interest in keeping the same last name for convenience, readily identifying the family unit at school events, sporting events, and the like.<\/p>\n

Keeping the Married Name for Professional Reasons<\/h2>\n

Depending on the nature of one\u2019s career path, it may be a good idea to retain one\u2019s married name for professional reasons.\u00a0 In fields where your name is your brand, changing your name could mean starting over professionally.\u00a0 At a minimum, it makes finding you more difficult for your clients.<\/p>\n

Keeping Your Married Name Because You Like It Better<\/h2>\n

Some last names are easier to pronounce than others.\u00a0 Some are shorter, some are closer to the front of the alphabet, and some just roll off the tongue more easily.\u00a0 If you spent your childhood and your early adult life spelling out your 13 letter long last name, you may want to keep your much shorter married name.\u00a0 Particularly if you are not particularly attached to your maiden name, why go through the hassle of changing it back if you prefer your married name?<\/p>\n

Keeping Your Married Name Because It Is Too Much Hassle to Change Everything Over to Your New Last Name<\/h2>\n

Changing your name is easy, particularly during a divorce proceeding.\u00a0 Changing all of your assets to your new name can be a hassle.\u00a0 If you do decide to change your name during the divorce, at a minimum, you will have to change the following documents or accounts:<\/p>\n