Legal Question in Family Law in California

I would like to legally take my husband's name, however, I would like to continue to use my maiden name professionally which, I would like to make my middle name. For example, if my maiden name were Jane Marie Doe and I married John Douglas Smith, I would be changing my name to Jane Doe Smith. There are two parts to my question:

1) Would this be an issue, legally?

2) I do a lot of contract work for my business. Would I have to sign my name with my legal name (Jane Smith)? Or, since my maiden name will still be my middle name, could I sign the contract with my maiden name (Jane Doe)?


Asked on 4/19/10, 12:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Many professionals keep their family names. As long as, professionally, you are known as "Jane Doe," you should be able to sign contracts using that name.

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Answered on 4/24/10, 5:11 pm


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