When you divorce, you’re faced with a lot of decisions; some small and seemingly insignificant, and others that seem monumental. Different women have different views on reclaiming their maiden names or keeping their married names—but what’s right for you? Talk to your Durham divorce lawyer about your options before you make any big decisions. In the end, it’s completely up to you.
Going Back to Your Maiden Name
Many women choose to revert to their maiden names after a divorce. You might want to distance yourself from your ex, reclaim a better-sounding name that no one has difficulty spelling (or pronouncing) or just start fresh. Your Durham divorce lawyer has likely seen hundreds of cases in which the woman wanted her old identity back, and that’s completely normal.
If you choose to revert to your maiden name, your Durham divorce lawyer can help you run down a checklist of changes you’ll need to make. Your utility companies, creditors, and professional contacts will need to be updated as soon as the judge grants your divorce and officially changes your name.
Keeping Your Married Name
Conversely, many women choose to keep their married names after divorce. This is particularly important to women who have established a professional identity with their married names. Rather than changing websites, business cards and other documents, some women choose to continue on with the same name. Some women also choose to retain their married names so they match the kids’ names, to avoid the headaches a name change can cause, or simply because they’re comfortable.
Choosing What’s Right for You
The decision whether to change your name or keep the one you have is highly personal. No one can tell you what will work best in your situation, but your Durham divorce lawyer can provide you with guidance based on his or her experiences with others. Keep your attorney in the loop so he or she can take the appropriate steps during your divorce to ensure that you leave the marriage with the name you want.
