Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
I took my husband's name when we were married in 1975. My husband died in 2005 and I'd like to begin using my maiden name once again. May I simply resume using my maiden name or do I need to file a legal name change through the courts? Also, if I change my name will it affect any social security benefits that I may collect on his behalf in the future?
1 Answer from Attorneys
You can just start using your maiden name, but, of course, you probably want your name to show correctly on your social security card and your driver's license. To do that, you have to take a copy of your marriage license and his death certificate to the social security office, and they'll change your card. Once you get a new social security card, you take that and the other documents to the DMV to get a new license.
You may have waited too long, though I think you're still okay. If you did wait too long, you'll have to file a petition for name change, the do the whole process after you get the name change judgment from the judge.
None of this will affect your entitlement to social security.
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