Legal Question in Family Law in New Jersey
Changing married name to maiden name
Can you legally force a woman after a divorce to change her married name back to her maiden name to protect your credit, reputation, etc.?
Asked on 3/13/08, 12:30 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Salvatore Principato
Salvatore Principato, Attorney at Law
Re: Changing married name to maiden name
Upon divorce a party may assume any name, I have heard of folks wanting to change their name but I have never heard of forcing someone to change their name back to their maiden name. Some women especially with children want to keep their children's last name for obvious reasons. Maybe making a point of it will make her less likely to keep the name but it's doubtful that you can force the issue legally. However, if there were egrgious reasons you could always try or try to pay the other party to resume another name. Good luck.
Answered on 3/15/08, 11:30 am