Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee

Keeping Spouses surname?

Can a divorced man legally ask his ex-wife to stop using his surname?

I thought when you got a divorce, you automatically resumed your maiden name, but I read that it is the woman's choice. Frankly, I don't understand why any woman would want to keep the surname, a daily reminder of a failed marriage.


Asked on 1/16/07, 11:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
LAURA TEK LAW OFFICE OF LAURA TEK

Re: Keeping Spouses surname?

As old-fashioned as it may sound, a woman is allowed to keep her ex-husband's name if she so chooses. The ex-husband has no control or say-so if his ex-spouse wishes to continue using her former maried name. There is no rule or law that states a woman must revert to her maiden name when she gets divorced.

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Answered on 1/17/07, 1:24 pm


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