Your last names...

To those of you who took DH's last name but kept your own as a second middle name - do you always have to sign official documents with both last names or can you just use DH's?

So, if I am now Anne Beth Cohen Drake, can I sign things that way OR Anne Beth Drake?

I'm trying to decide whether to do this or just use my name professionally - and we're already coming up on our 1 year anniversary, but I'm still deciding.

TIA!

I am keeping my name for business, but legally changing it. So I kind of get the best of both worlds

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Posted by MCA1180

My reason for wanting to keep my last name is not for professional reasons... it's because I just like my name and it's been part of who I am for my whole life.. I've grown attached to it lol... I love my FH and I don't mind taking his last name... It's just that I personally don't feel that I should have to give up my own identity just because I'm getting married... it's a source of argument between FH & I (he's old fashioned... he would rather I take his last name, not keep mine, but he doesn't mind if I keep mine and add on his.... he just wants to see his last name tacked on at the end)

Also, when we have kids, I want to have the same last name as FH and our kids... so we're one family unit....

I would just keep my own last name on the legal stuff... Socially, on invites etc.. i would just be Mrs his last name... I don't care about that... Just for the legal stuff i want to keep my own last name... cuz it's part of who I am...

This is what I would do... if it's at all possible...

My name right now: Maria Antonella my last name

What I'd like my name to be after I'm married:

Maria Antonella my last name his last name (no hyphen, they sound ridiculous together)... Or just Maria my last name his last name... (I don't want to give up my middle name either - although I don't ever use it... again, it's just part of who I am.. the name I was born with)

I would have all my legal paperwork, bank accounts, checks, passport, ID, etc changed to Maria Antonella my last name his last name...
on anything non-legal I would just be Mrs Maria his last name...

Is this possible? Suggestions? Advice?

What do men have to give up?? I'm sure they would have a problem if they had to give up their identity... ugh lol

Thanks so much ladies! This has been really bothering me...

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i don't think there is anything wrong with not wanting to give up your name. but if its about your identity, wouldn't you want to keep it for social use as well? isn't your identity more important socially than what it is on your bank statement, etc? i am sure this whole thing is giving you a headache. i hope you figure out what works best for you!