Name Changes

In your Florida divorce, you can have your former name restored, but you must ask the judge in your case to address the name change in your final divorce judgment. Once your request is granted, it’s time to get busy informing other institutions and entities about this important change. If you are facing a divorce, don’t delay discussing your full array of concerns with an experienced Florida divorce attorney.

In Florida an adult as well as a minor may petition the court of a name change for various legal reasons. The requirements are different than those required to restore your former name during a dissolution of marriage.

If you are changing your name with divorce, your only option is restoring your former name, and you should include your complete former name (first, middle, and last) on your divorce petition. The final judgment of your divorce will restore your name.  Your spouse does not grant or give you your former name, the court grants it.

Changing the names of your children is not an automatic option in the way changing your married name back to your former name is with divorce. If you have a compelling reason for wanting your children’s name changed with yours upon divorce, you will need to petition the court for the right to do so. As with every other matter that involves children, however, the court will have to be convinced that changing your children’s last name is in their best interest.

If you are pursuing a name change with your divorce, it’s important to recognize that you’ll need to be proactive, and the skilled Florida divorce attorneys at Costa & Associates can help you with that. For more information, please don’t wait to contact or call us at 305-827-0100 to schedule your consultation today.