Missing Your “Maiden Name”? Find Out How to Change Your Name in Your Chicago Divorce
One of the things that may excite many soon-to-be married individuals in Chicago as they head to the altar is the thought of belonging to a new family, and taking on that family’s last name. Indeed, taking the last name of a spouse can be one of the “perks” of marriage, evidencing the joining of families, a strong union, and the beginnings of a new family all in one gesture. There is no doubt that taking on a spouse’s last name can have a lot of significance to many individuals in Chicago, and, accordingly, “getting rid” of that last name if the marriage goes south may be equally (if not more, in some cases) important. But how exactly can a person change their name if they are divorcing their spouse, and can a spouse prevent their soon-to-be ex from changing their last name? To help individuals in Chicago who are seeking a divorce, or who are in the midst of the divorce process, better understand how changing last names works in Chicago divorce cases, we answer those questions here.
Changing Your Name in Your Chicago Divorce – Name Change by Final Decree
The ultimate outcome of a Chicago divorce is a final decree of dissolution of divorce, or, in other words, an order from the court finalizing the divorce. When a person wishes to change their last name (for example, a soon-to-be ex-wife returning to her “maiden name”), they can do so as part of the final decree of dissolution of the marriage. If changing your name is something that you wish to do as part of your divorce case, it is best to speak with an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer as soon as possible.
Can Your Soon-to-Be Ex Prevent You From Returning to Your Premarital Last Name?
For those divorcing individuals in Chicago who may fear that their soon-to-be ex-spouse may have an issue with them returning to their premarital name, they need not fear. Under Illinois marriage and divorce laws, a soon-to-be ex-spouse cannot prevent the other party to the divorce from changing their last name. Of course, if your soon-to-be ex-spouse has threatened that they will challenge you if you seek to change your name in your Chicago divorce case, you should seek legal assistance.
Finding a Divorce Lawyer in the Chicago Area
If you are in the Chicago area and you are thinking about getting divorce, or you have already begun the Chicago divorce process, do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer for assistance with your case. The experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at the law firm of Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC are here to help individuals in Chicago with their challenging Chicago divorce issues. The experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC fight for their clients’ rights in their Chicago divorce cases.
Do not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney about your Chicago divorce case today. Contact Arnoux, Sharma & Standeford, LLC and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options now.