After divorce, you can use your previous surname (maiden name), keep your married name, or even choose a new one; it's a personal choice, but reverting usually involves using your divorce decree and/or marriage certificate as proof to update your driver's license, passport, and other official documents, often without a formal name change application if you took your spouse's name during the marriage.
After divorce, an ex-spouse may legally continue using a former married name unless a court order states otherwise. To prevent use, one must petition the court during divorce proceedings or file a separate name change request. Courts typically consider personal identity and public interest before restricting name use.
If a woman has retained her maiden name throughout the marriage her only decision, on becoming divorced, is whether she prefers to be Mrs, Miss or Ms Janie Jones, for example, or just Janie Jones with no title. Women who have assumed their husband's surname and are divorcing may prefer to revert to their maiden name.
No. Divorce does not legally require you to change your name. Whether you change it is a personal choice and depends on legal, practical, and emotional factors. Legal status: Your current legal name remains valid after divorce unless you take steps to change it.
There's no legal reason you have to take your new husband's name, your maiden name or even keep the name you're using now.
You might like to be called 'Mrs. ' even after divorce, or you may prefer 'Ms' or 'Miss'. If you don't change your surname, you don't need to complete any legal documentation to change your title - just start using it. If you do alter it by deed poll, then you can specify your new title in that document.
All you need to do is say that you would like to keep your married name. This is a personal choice and entirely your decision. Your former husband can neither make you give up his name nor make you keep it.
If you get divorced or end a civil partnership
If you divorce or end a civil partnership, you can go back to using your previous surname without having to formally record the change.
For example, if you've changed your name for personal reasons and want to revert, you'll typically need to file a petition with the court and provide a court order.
If she retains her former husband's last name (and many women do so that their surname will be the same as their children's) then Mrs. [or Ms.] Susan Reynolds is correct. If she reverts to her maiden name, Ms. is the correct title, as in "Ms.
Yes, it is completely legal to keep your ex's last name after divorce. There's no law that requires you to go back to your maiden name, and the choice is entirely up to you. Whether you keep your name for personal, professional, or family reasons, the court won't force you to change it.
In most cases, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name. To do so, you may need to file paperwork and appear before a judge to complete the process. Find your local government website and contact your circuit court to get information about how you can legally change your name.
DOCUMENTS :
Con: It's not free
It needs to get notarized. If your name change is the result of a divorce or a marriage, you may need additional documentation. It's not prohibitively expensive — court fees may be a few hundred dollars — but it does cost money. This is only something you want to do if you're serious about it.
The legal change of name process is managed by the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages in your state or territory.
You sure can! Going back to your maiden name can be done without obtaining a deed poll.
Staying single can allow you to take the time to heal emotionally. Working on your mental health and well-being can be an opportunity without the added stress of a new relationship. It's important to fully process and understand the events that led to your divorce before moving on to a new partner.
The easiest way to change your last name back to your former/maiden name is to do it during your divorce. You would ask the judge to restore your name either when you file for divorce or before you complete your divorce case. The Judgement of Dissolution of Marriage order will say that your maiden name is restored.
Mrs. is the proper title for a woman who was or is married, whether she has taken her spouse's last name or not. If you know the woman is married, Mrs. is the way to go.
After a divorce, you cannot legally force your ex-spouse to change back to their maiden name. They have a right to keep whatever name change they chose in marriage, whether that's your last name or a hyphenated last name.
Former family member means a spouse, spousal equivalent, or stepchild who was a family member but is no longer a family member due to a divorce or other similar event. Former family member means a spouse or stepchild who was a family member but who is no longer a family member.
By default, it is expected that they will retain their married name unless they actively pursue a legal process to request a name change. Deciding whether to change your name after a divorce is a personal choice that carries both benefits and drawbacks.
Divorced. Divorce is the legal termination of a marriage through a formal legal process. It dissolves the marital relationship, ending the legal obligations and rights that come with marriage. After a divorce, your relationship status returns to single.
A divorce is the legal dissolution of marriage — meaning the court terminates the marriage's legal bond, determines child custody and support if needed, and divides the couple's assets and liabilities.