Keeping Your Last Name in a Divorce

 While more and more women are keeping their last names than ever before, many did change their last names. After years of practicing we have heard many reasons for and against keeping their married, last name. Some might consider this a small item to consider, but for women it is a bigger issue than is typically given due attention. Did you keep your spouse’s last name? After asking for feedback, here are some of the most common answers we have heard.
• After so many years of marriage, that last name was my identity, with or without him.
• I kept my ex’s last name in order to have the same last name as my child who also asked for that.
• The divorce was to dissolve the relationship. There was nothing left, I didn’t want the name either.
• I plan on reclaiming my maiden name. I’m reclaiming my life and I want the name to match who I am becoming. My kids are teens and completely understand my choice.
• I kept it for the first year because it is my children’s last name. Then the ex married again and I felt like there were two of us in the world. I thought that I should go back to the name I was born with, so I did. I plan to die with that last name. No more name change, no more losing me in someone else.
• I went back to ‘my’ name. It was my declaration of independence.
• I kept it because I wanted my name to match my kids. Didn’t want them to feel like I was divorcing them.
• I kept it so as not to confuse my kids and friends — and to irk my ex when he had to write his child support checks and to annoy wife number two.
• Yes. I did not want my estranged father’s name back. My ex’s last name is much more fun, exciting, and exotic.
• No. At the time I was proud to share his name, but now it’s an embarrassment to me because of his choices.
• It’s too much of a process to change names. It’s how I’m known professionally and I think it’s less confusing for my three-year-old.
• I use the hyphenated version at the kids’ schools, but only then.
Whatever you decide, part of our Divorce Coaching offers you feedback on little discussed topics such as this, and what to wear to court, and how to deal with going back to school issues.
For more information and to schedule your free consultation, please call The Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman, P.C., at 661-255-1800 or visit us at www.chromanlaw.com.  Mr. Chroman is a Trusted Advisor Award Winner and named Top 100 California Attorney’s with over 19 years of experience and local service.