Why do ex wives keep their ex husband's last name?

Many women choose to hold onto their married name after a divorce because of their children. Sharing the same last name can make women feel more connected to their children. It can also provide a sense of stability for younger children who will not understand why their mother has a different last name.

Why did my ex wife keep my last name?

It may be hard for you to see it, but most ex-wives don't keep their ex-husband's last name simply to be a source of constant irritation. Continuity with children — One of the most common reasons an ex may keep your last name is to keep her name the same as any children.

Is it weird to keep ex husbands last name?

What's good ex-etiquette? A After a divorce a woman is free to keep her ex-husband's last name, go back to her maiden name or choose a completely new name. Although name changes are controlled by state law, most states allow individuals to change their name pretty easily.

Why do divorced people keep last name?

Some keep their married name so they have the same name as their children. It helps their kids have a continued sense of family that they, their mom and their dad share a last name. If they're still close to their in-laws or even with their ex, they may also feel that they want that continued sense of family with them.

Can ex wife keep my last name?

So Can You Make Your Ex-wife Use Her Maiden Name? With divorce, just as no law compelled her to take your surname, no law compels her to give it up. She legally became Ms. or Mrs. You, and she, can choose to keep that surname or change it.

Why do women keep their Ex-husband's last name after a divorce?

Can you sue your ex for keeping your last name?

Unless she is pretending to be someone she is not or that is not a legal name for her you cannot sue her. The court order grants her the right to change her name but it is not official until she does it officially with the state.

Can a woman take back her first husbands name after divorce a second husband?

1 attorney answer

If the judge refuses to change your name during the divorce proceeding to something other than your maiden name, you can always file for a name change outside the divorce process, and you should easily be able to change your name to the last name you had with your previous husband.

Can my ex wife give my last name to her child that she had with some other man and after our divorce?

Yes, it is legal. You have no say in what someone else names a child. She could name the child exactly after you, if she wants.

Can I order my ex wife change her last name?

A spouse cannot force their ex-spouse to change their last name, unless it was specified in a prenuptial agreement. If you and your ex-spouse do not have children, your best option might be to negotiate their changing back to the maiden name in a divorce decree.

What title does a divorced woman use?

You can use any title you wish. You might like to be called "Mrs." even after divorce, or you may prefer "Ms" or "Miss".

Can a divorced woman still use her married name?

When a couple gets divorced, each spouse has the right to keep his or her married name. No spouse can force the other to change back to his or her previous name, and there is little anyone can do to prevent an ex-spouse from continuing to use the married name after divorce.

When you divorce what happens to your name?

Traditionally, when couples get married, one person (usually the wife) will change their surname to the same as the other (usually the husband's). It is then usually the case that any children born following the marriage will also have the same surname.

Can I hyphenate my last name after divorce?

A hyphenated last name would be Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith. It's your choice which name comes first. Hyphenating your last name is considered a legal name change – meaning you can't drop your spouse's name or the hyphen in the future without having to go through a court-ordered name change.

Do I have to legally change my name after divorce?

Legally speaking, it doesn't make any difference whether you use your divorce documents or a deed poll to change your name. Either way, it's not the document itself that changes your name, it's just evidence of the fact that your name's been changed — legally, your name is changed by usage.

How do I stop my ex wife from using my last name?

Negotiate – Your best bet might be to negotiate for her to include changing back to her maiden name in the divorce decree. If it's very important issue for you, you might be able to give some leeway in an area she feels passionately about.

Can I put single If I am divorced?

Single. As a single person, you are not legally bound to anyone—unless you have a dependent. You can be considered as single if you have never been married, were married but then divorced, or have lost your spouse.

How do I keep married name after divorce?

Keeping Your Name

If you are going to keep your married name, you need to say so in the divorce decree. There will be a question that asks if you would like to retain your married name, or be known by your maiden (or former) name. Your husband cannot request your drop his name, regardless of the reason.

Can I change my name 10 years after divorce?

You can change your name at any time after your divorce has been finalized. That said, the longer you wait, the more documentation you'll be required to provide when you change your name on your certain identification documents.

How do two last names work?

A hyphenated last name is just what it sounds like: your and your partner's last names, connected with—you guessed it—a hyphen. Oftentimes, hyphenated last names are described as a merge of a woman's "maiden" and "married" names (her prewedding surname and her spouse's surname).

Can you legally have two last names without a hyphen?

The use of double surnames is legal but not customary. Children traditionally take on their father's surname (or, more recently, optionally their mother's).

Why do guys have hyphenated last names?

People in Britain during the 15th century began hyphenating their last names in order to commemorate the combining of their family fortunes. Also, when there were no male heirs, the bride's name could be taken on by the husband.

How do you address a married woman who has kept her maiden name?

For married women keeping their maiden name, use her first name and maiden name and her spouse's first and last name. Emily Post advises using Ms. in this case. For women who are engaged and those living with a spouse, use Ms.

How does a woman go back to her maiden name?

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.

Can I use my maiden name if separated?

A separated woman has the right to change her surname at any time. Therefore, if you are separated and do not wish to be known by your husband's surname, you can revert to your maiden name (or to a new name entirely) by Deed Poll.

Is a divorced woman Miss or Ms?

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.