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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
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    8

    Default Changing My Last Name After Divorce

    My question involves name change laws in the State of: New Jersey

    I was divorced 22 years ago and in the divorce decree it was stated that I could change my last name back to my birth last name. I did not do this at the time because we had a daughter who was 3 years old and I did not want to confuse her. She is now 25 and understands completely that I want to now go back to my maiden name. My question: Do I have to file papers with the court to do this, which I am certain I would have to because of my financial assets. And my second question is, I have dealt with the court system without a lawyer twice. The first time was for the divorce in 1991 and the second time I had to sue a tenant for past rent, and she had a lawyer, however I won the case after numerous filings. I guess what I am asking is since my daughter is now 25, I want to go back to my maiden name. Do I have to file in family court which I have n problem doing or is there a way I can just go back to my maiden name by some other means?

    I thank you very much if someone can give me advice on this matter!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Louisville, KY
    Posts
    1,877

    Default Re: I Have Been Divorced for 22 Years and Would Like to Change My Last Name


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    7,056

    Default Re: I Have Been Divorced for 22 Years and Would Like to Change My Last Name

    I was divorced 22 years ago and in the divorce decree it was stated that I could change my last name back to my birth last name.
    Before you file for a name change make sure about what your final divorce decree really says about your maiden name. Since anyone can change their name legally at any time, it would be unusual for the court to grant you permission to change your name in the future.

    I suspect that the court granted you the name change in the decree. If that is the case, you don't need to do anything except to start using your maiden name and change all pertinent documents and ID's to that name. It really depends on the exact wording in the decree signed by the judge.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: I Have Been Divorced for 22 Years and Would Like to Change My Last Name

    You are correct. I do not see that phrase specified in the divorce papers. First I would like to thank you for your answer and if I do want to do this know, would I just go on the court site for my county and would I be able to see on that site the instructions on how to proceed. My ex is deceased so there should not be a problem. I only kept the name for my children who are now grown and married. Thank you again inn advance for your help!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16,474

    Default Re: Changing My Last Name After Divorce

    Quote Quoting ocean blue
    View Post
    My question involves name change laws in the State of: New Jersey

    I was divorced 22 years ago and in the divorce decree it was stated that I could change my last name back to my birth last name. I did not do this at the time because we had a daughter who was 3 years old and I did not want to confuse her. She is now 25 and understands completely that I want to now go back to my maiden name. My question: Do I have to file papers with the court to do this, which I am certain I would have to because of my financial assets. And my second question is, I have dealt with the court system without a lawyer twice. The first time was for the divorce in 1991 and the second time I had to sue a tenant for past rent, and she had a lawyer, however I won the case after numerous filings. I guess what I am asking is since my daughter is now 25, I want to go back to my maiden name. Do I have to file in family court which I have n problem doing or is there a way I can just go back to my maiden name by some other means?

    I thank you very much if someone can give me advice on this matter!
    I am going to give you some practical advice rather than legal advice. Please remember that the legal process of changing your last name is not the complicated part of things. The complicated part of things is going to be getting your last name officially changed on every document, deed, ID, social security, credit card and every other part and parcel of your life. Please make sure that you want the last name change badly enough to make all of that quite serious hassle worth it.

    I flirted with changing my last name after my daughter became an adult and after serious consideration, decided that it was much more hassle than it was worth.

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