Getting married means that your life changes in many ways. You share a home and property with your spouse, make decisions together and may even take your spouse’s last name. In the event that you get a divorce, it can be difficult to undo all of these lifestyle adjustments you made for one another. One decision you must make is whether or not you wish to retain your former spouse’s surname.
Although a shared last name signifies the bond you and your spouse share, it also has practical implications. You may have property and accounts in this name, and your children may also have the surname of your former partner. If you’re a professional, many people may know you by this last name. Even so, many individuals wish to change their name as part of an effort to get a truly fresh start on life after a divorce.
The good news is that the state of Florida allows individuals to make this choice based on their circumstances. If you wish to keep your married name, you don’t need to do anything — you can continue on your day-to-day life with your current surname. If you would like to change your last name, however, the best time to do it is while you’re engaged in the divorce process. You may seek a court order to make the change back to your former surname, to take effect once the divorce is finalized.
Waiting until later on will mean you’ll have to file a new petition, which may come with additional court fees. Thus, the most efficient way to approach this issue is to do it all at once.
For further information on guidance on various issues related to Florida divorce, meet with an experienced family law attorney at the Law Office of K. Dean Kantaras today.