Use 2 last names??

[aniki]

Illinois

I divorced several years ago and kept my married last name. This has caused problems for me and I wish to change my last name to something entirely different and make my maiden name my middle name. Can I legally use either name (such as someone writing me a check) as my last name?

I.E.: Ann Maidenname Newname and can use either Ann Maidenname or Ann Newname

 

[FlyingRon]

Your legal name is still your married name unless the change was made in the order of divorce. If you want to change it now you will have to go back to court.

If you're asking if you can use a name other than your legal name, that depends on the situation. In many cases, when there is no intent to defraud, you can. However you'd have to use your real name when conducting business and when signing legal documents.

 

[aniki]

Thank you for your reply. I plan to legally change my name to something like Ann Smith Jones and want to know if I can use both Ann Smith and Ann Jones.

 

[mistoffolees]

Thank you for your reply. I plan to legally change my name to something like Ann Smith Jones and want to know if I can use both Ann Smith and Ann Jones.

People do it all the time. As long as there's no intent to defraud, it shouldn't be a problem.

For example, in my circles, it is not uncommon for a professional woman to use her maiden name in professional relationships and her married name in social relationships - and to answer to both.

 

[aniki]

Absolutely NO intent to defraud!! My maiden name is very long, often misspelled and usually mispronounced. However, it is my family name and I'd prefer to keep peace with my family! My married name is unique and has caused me countless problems since my divorce. I no longer wish to be associated with the married name, but want to choose a new, simpler name and, at the same time, be legally allowed to use my maiden name for family things (wills, legal issues, etc).

Thank you for your reply.

 

[LdiJ]

Absolutely NO intent to defraud!! My maiden name is very long, often misspelled and usually mispronounced. However, it is my family name and I'd prefer to keep peace with my family! My married name is unique and has caused me countless problems since my divorce. I no longer wish to be associated with the married name, but want to choose a new, simpler name and, at the same time, be legally allowed to use my maiden name for family things (wills, legal issues, etc).

Thank you for your reply.

I don't think that is going to work. Your new last name will be your legal name, so that is the name you would have to use for anything legal, such as wills, legal issues, etc.

 

[aniki]

What if I hyphenate?? Such as Ann Maidenname-Newname.

 

[tranquility]

See:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=illinois common law name change&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CEIQFjAB&url=http://www.odos.uiuc.edu/sls/brochureAds/downloads/NameChange.pdf&ei=jUnVTvWGJaWniQKLr-zIDg&usg=AFQjCNFBKtYZdk5pUIxcrY6Op5BHfWROjQ&cad=rja

 

[aniki]

Thank you for the link. I did not see anything about being able to use both names. I appreciate your time looking for that!

 

[mistoffolees]

What if I hyphenate?? Such as Ann Maidenname-Newname.

How is that going to help? You said that "My maiden name is very long, often misspelled and usually mispronounced". So if your maiden name is so bad, how will hyphenating it make it any better?

 

[tranquility]

Since it seems like you can name yourself oeiurerknd, why not oeiurerknd-smith?

 

[aniki]

mistoffolees, thank you for replying, but I am looking for a way to use both names - my maiden name infrequently, but when needed.

 

[aniki]

thank you, tranquility. I am trying to find if I can use the names separately and both only when absolutely necessary.

 

[ecmst12]

I see no reason that you couldn't sign with your middle name sometimes and other times without it. You probably wouldn't want to ONLY sign your middle name and not the last name though.

 

[LdiJ]

I see no reason that you couldn't sign with your middle name sometimes and other times without it. You probably wouldn't want to ONLY sign your middle name and not the last name though.

That is what I think she is not quite getting. I believe that she hopes to be able to legally use just her maiden name when it comes to things regarding her family, (even legal matters) and her new last name everywhere else...and that doesn't work.

It only works if she is doing it for non legal, non official matters.