Changing Your Name After Divorce in Montgomery County - For You, For Your Child
Divorce and Name Changes in Pennsylvania
Over the past few decades, married couples in the U.S. have wavered over the surname quandary - should we combine our names with a hyphen, or should we keep our names separate? Should we go under one last name, or should we do something altogether different?
Ultimately, statistics reveal that a vast majority of couples still go the traditional route of retaining the husband's family name and shedding the wife’s maiden name. Of course, the term "husband" is relative, and by no means limited to a male/female scenario, but for the sake for clarity, we will use the classic terms to distinguish one from the other.
To legally change your name, you will need to file a petition with the appropriate court, and there are steps you must take to complete the process. The legal team at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., is experienced in various aspects of family law, and can help you through the name-change process, regardless of your circumstances. Contact our office at (610) 645-0100.
Returning to Your Maiden Name
When a couple divorces, the individual who took on a surname may change it back. The process is easier than one might believe it to be, but it does require a bit of work and a lot of patience.
In the process of a divorce, one must merely file a praecipe to change his or her name. Once your request for a name change has been approved, you will need to get certified copies of the authorized name change documentation. In Pennsylvania, the Office of Prothonotary is in charge of name changes after a couple divorces. Once it has been certified, it makes obtaining other forms of identification much easier. The individual in question can then easily move onto his or her driver's license, Social Security ID, and credit cards.
Changing Your Child's Name
On the other hand, changing your child’s name is more complicated: you will need court approval to do so. The burden is on you to prove that it is in your child’s best interests to have his or her name changed to your surname. While not an impossible task, it can be an uphill climb that almost always demands knowledgeable representation to accomplish.
Contact the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C.
When it comes to changing your name or the name of your child, consulting with an experienced family law attorney is always a smart decision. A lawyer can explain how to change a legal name, ensure you file your request in the proper manner, and help you fill out the necessary forms to complete your name change.
Talk to a Montgomery County family law attorney to discuss your options when it comes to a name change. Contact the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., and schedule an appointment to discuss your case at length. Get the help you need to move on with your life, with a clean slate. The number to dial is (610) 645-0100. Call today!
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