When I got divorced several years ago, I couldn’t decide what to do about the “last name” problem. While my divorce decree stated that I could take back my “maiden” name, I decided to keep the married last name while I was raising my kids since it seemed to make things easier. Plus, for most things, I had always used both of my names anyway. Now that my children are nearly grown and it doesn’t seem like such a big deal that our last names “match”—I think I am ready to start the process to drop that long-used “married name,” but I have a feeling it is going to be a time-consuming process now that I have had that last name for over twenty years.
I have known other divorced people and single moms who get rid of that married last name right away and they do like I did and have it guaranteed in the divorce decree. Still, there are many, many things that I need to change—from my social security card to all of my financial accounts, my Will, my work records, etc. You might be able to see why it can seem a daunting project…
I have talked to all three of my children about my intent to drop the last of my last names and they are now old enough to feel like it will be fine. I would love to hear from other single moms who have been through both the decision-making process around whether or not to take back their pre-marriage name; and those who actually went through all the work and paperwork to make it happen? How long did it take? Is it confusing for children or other people who deal with your children trying to “match” you up with your kids? Does your child or children have an opinion about the whole last name thing? Any ideas or suggestions?
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