Going through a divorce is usually a gruelling and heart wrenching experience. You have to say goodbye to a relationship that you put so much time, effort, and love into, so having to let all that go can be very emotionally distressing.
One thing many people chose to do after this experience is to revert back to their maiden name, or even choose a brand new name. Choosing to not change your name is just as valid, as there are many reasons as to why you would keep your married name.
In this article, family law solicitor Carole Nettleton weighs up the pros and cons of changing your name or keeping it the same.
Reasons To Change Your Name Back
When it comes to changing your name back, you may be wondering whether it’s the right decision to make. Here are a few common reasons why you may want to consider this. It’s important to note that there is no right or wrong choice, you have to do what feels right for you.
To remove association from your ex-spouse: A very common reason why you may choose to change your name back after divorce is to distance yourself away from your ex-spouse as much as possible.
For some people, going through a divorce is a traumatic experience, and your ex partner may have acted horribly towards you. Many choose to revert back to their old name for this reason.
A fresh start: Depending on how long you were married for, you may have devoted a lot of your time and energy into it. You may be wanting to embrace your newfound independence by changing your name to your maiden name, or a new name completely.
Some women in recent times are deciding to change their surname completely after a divorce. Many feel like they no longer connect with their maiden name as they are not the same person they were before their marriage.
This is why coming up with a brand new name of your choice may be a desirable option for you, as you’ll be getting a fresh start and moving away from a patriarchal tradition.
Reasons To Keep Your Name
Here are a few of the key reasons women choose to keep their married name after divorce.
You want to have the same name as your children: a very valid reason to keep your married name is to keep your name the same as your children’s. For a lot of women, they prefer to have the same name as their children, and for this reason they choose to keep their married name.
Too much hassle: A big reason as to why you may choose to keep your married name is because of the complicated process it takes to change your name back again. If you’re not opposed to your married name, then you may want to keep it out of convenience.
Everyone knows you as your current name: Another reason as to why you may want to keep your current name is because that’s the name you’re predominantly known as. If you’re a teacher, you’re probably known by your last name to the children you teach, and so changing your name back may confuse them.
If you’ve been married a long time, then the people in your life may only know you as your current name. If your married name has become a part of you and you feel a strong attachment to it, then you may want to keep it.
