California Divorce : Restoring Your Former Name Through Divorce
For those of you going through divorce in California thinking about changing your name to your former, maiden name, I just want you to know a few things.
- You can only go back to your former MAIDEN name. You cannot choose any name out of a hat.
- If you do want to go to ANY name, you need to file a legal name change petition and pay new court fees
- If you are considering changing back to your maiden name, but not sure because you have minor children and want to have the same last name as them (very popular answer) then request it in the Judgment and then wait until your kids are older to do it. (and save the money from doing it later)
- Lastly, common reasons for not changing your last name back. 1) new name is better. 2) had married new name too long. 3) Business people know you as xxx (real estate, doctor, etc.)
