Full question:
I requested a name change to my mother's maiden name during my divorce, it was granted. I never completed the forms and stayed with my married name. My ex-husband retired, I am getting a portion of his pension. When he filled out the forms for retiring he put me mother's maiden name down. Now the checks are coming in that name. What do I need to do? Can I cash these checks?
- Category: Name Change
- Date:
- State: New Jersey
Answer:
It is not clear from your question what papers you neglected to complete. Requesting a name change, back to a maiden name, is quite common and is legal in New Jersey. If the court granted the request for the name change, it would have become part of the divorce decree. No other paperwork may have been necessary.
It may be beneficial to review carefully the divorce decree to verify that the name change was granted.
If indeed it was granted and you have not been using your new legal name, you may have to produce the decree to the various places that are recognizing only your other name, such as your bank.
If the divorce court did not effectively change your name and you still want that name, you would have to petition the courts in New Jersey for a legal name change or you could return to the divorce court to ask the judge to modify the decree.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.
