Name change question for attorney brides

Does anyone know the answer to this: If I add my FH's name to my last name, not with a hyphen, just My first name, middle name, maiden name, FHlast name, can I still practice as an attorney in NY state strictly under my maiden name. Or is it not legally correct and I would have to practice under my new name with FHlast name attached. I want to do something so that I can use FH's name socially and when traveling etc. but I want to practice solely under my maiden name.

If I hyphen the names, will I then have to practice under both names?

FH is having issues that we are not a 'family' if I have a separate name. He wanted me to change my name and just practice under my maiden name but I think since I practice law and litigate etc I have to practice under a legal name and If I change my name to his I would not be able to just use my maiden name at work.

Thanks for the info!

Re: Name change question for attorney brides

I'm an attorney and I had the same concerns. Because my maiden name is a horror, there is no way I could hyphenate. Although I wanted to keep my maiden name for work purposes, it became too complicated. I ended up taking my husband's last name.

Re: Name change question for attorney brides

I do not know your answer, but I just wanted to say that I am in the same position. I do not want to change my name at all, but I am extremely adamant about keeping my name for my practice. I cant stomach the thought of losing the name that is on all of those dipmas that I worked so hard for I live in MD and am going to try to do exactly what you want to do, so keep me posted if you get any info that doesn't come from this board. I would be very interested.

Re: Name change question for attorney brides

Can you call the Board and ask them? I am not an attorney but honestly I would not trust an legal answer I get on a website. Not because girls try to decieve but because we all get misinformation from different sources sometimes. I would like to hypenate but use my maiden name for almost everything and not change my last name legally. I have NO idea if this is allowed or not.

Re: Name change question for attorney brides

I work with an attorney who practices strictly under her maiden name
no hypens
no married name so it must be allowed or why would she :)
trying going to www.nysba.org
and email them a question but I dont see why you cant use your maiden name since she does and she has been married many years

Question for TammyJill

Did the attorney you work for change her name legally to her husband's name or add his name onto it? I know I can continue to practice in my maiden name if I don't do anything after I am married. I wanted to add his name onto my name without a hyphen and still practice just under my maiden name.

Re: Question for TammyJill/ABC

I am not sure
and I dont go back to work for another two weeks
but I know she doesnt practice with her husbands name at all
b/c he is a lawyer too and the names are totally different
sorry i dont know
I can try to remember to ask her when I go back,
I would call her today or tomorrow but she always is in court :)