Name question

My degrees are also in my maiden name. I have worked at different companies and have contacts going back 10 years. What if they want to find me 5 years from now? Can they?!

I decided after all this pondering that I will change my last name completey. No hyphen, no double names, just his last name. I don't think there's a right answer here. Whatever you feel is best for you. I just want to have the same last name as my kids and I don't want them to be hypened. It's a personal choice.

you can drop your middle name and have your maiden name as your new middle

for Example:

Jill Elizabeth Smith

married to Paul Walker

becomes

Jill Smith Walker

I have the same situation. My degrees are in my maiden name.... and to add to that I work in a school so all the kids know me by my maiden name. It makes it complicated. I don't particularly love my last name or his so thats no an issue. I would like to keep my name in some way. So I was thinking I can hyphenate it. SO at work they can still call me by my maiden name and that would be ok. FH was not too thrilled with this though. I don't know something about giving up my last name completely makes me feel like I am losing part of myself. I am probably just crazy though...lOL!

This is 09 QOTD
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Some people have touched upon the degree names.

I don't know what to do either. Professionally I am known by my maiden name for the past 16 years and if you google me, you will find me.

If you hyphenate your name, legally you will always have to sign both names. I heard if you drop our middle name and use you maiden as your middle and his as your last, you can use either or, which might be the best option.

From people who have hyphenated...I have been told don't, it's a pain and the children hate it as well...too long.

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Posted by StacyJill2009

I don't know what to do either. Professionally I am known by my maiden name for the past 16 years and if you google me, you will find me.

If you hyphenate your name, legally you will always have to sign both names. I heard if you drop our middle name and use you maiden as your middle and his as your last, you can use either or, which might be the best option.

From people who have hyphenated...I have been told don't, it's a pain and the children hate it as well...too long.

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Actually legally you can go by both names, according to NY State's marriage licence website... It says

'Every person has the right to adopt any name by which he or she wishes to be known simply by using that name consistently and without intent to defraud. A person's last name (surname) does not automatically change upon marriage, and neither party to the marriage is required to change his or her last name. The bride and groom need not take the same last name'

This is what my mother basically did. She never changed her name legally but when my sister and I were in school, she was known by my father's last name b/c it was our last name. She signs legal documents with her 'married' named even though its not legally her name b/c it is what she is known as.

i've been debating this also. although FH doesn't see it any other way than me changing my name. not that i have a problem with it, but i like my last name, etc. i also like my middle name...

what if i keep my full name and just add his name to the end of it? does that mean i can use either last name as well, even if i keep my middle name too? i'm also a professional with different degrees and certificates and i also work in a school. so much to think about!