To Change Your Name After Divorce or Not – The Big Decision
Changing your surname once you are married is a tradition that is still strong today, although many more people are opting to keep their name after they wed or even double-barrel it with their partner’s surname. But what about changing it back after the divorce? This blog may help you decide whether to revert to your maiden name after the marriage is over.
A New Chapter
Ending a marriage is a colossal thing and depending on the duration of the marriage, it is closing a significant life chapter. No one goes into marriage thinking it will end. It can be a huge shock. As one chapter ends, the next begins, and most people want to feel like they’re moving on after the emotional upset. Keeping or changing your name at this point depends on which name seems like a positive advancement. Some people may feel that reverting to their previous name is a backwards step and a regressing to a younger self. A tiny difference between Miss and Ms can connect your younger self to your current self.
If you’ve been married a long time, you may prefer to keep your marital name. You may want consistency after building a professional reputation with your married name. Reclaiming your birth name can be a sign of independence and connection to your ancestry. Whatever you choose, know that various women feel that different options are a step forward. Select the one that gets you closer to recovering your life.
Allow Yourself Time
A divorce will stir up a concoction of emotions, including heartache, relief, freedom, guilt, failure, shame, fear, uncertainty, and even anger. It is an overwhelming and complex thing, and you’ll have to make important decisions about your children, and your home. Your name choice doesn’t need to be made immediately.
Having a different surname from your children can be difficult for you and your children to adjust to. Some people choose to preserve their marital name to ‘match’ their children. Allow yourself time to process your emotions and clear your head before making a decision.
Make the choice that feels right for you and for the correct reasons. Of course, you must consider your children, but the right choice for you will benefit them in the long term. If you choose a name you dislike because you want the same name as your kids, they may pick up on your negativity and view their names in a different light. Your children will notice if you grimace when you hear it stated out loud or feel like you’ve been hit in the stomach when a letter arrives with a name you no longer want.
If you would like to change your name, contact deedpolls.co.uk.