Changing Your Name Post Divorce

In my opinion, most people (typically women) decide whether or not to change their name to a maiden name at the actual time of the divorce proceeding, if not sooner.  The decision is a largely personal one and in my years of practice I've heard the gamut of reasons why to or not to change from the married name.  N.J.S.A. 2A:34-21 is the statute that governs legal name changes in our state.

Rarely do we see the courts chime in on this issue, because generally its quite mundane.  However, a recent published trial court opinion stemming out of Passaic county gives guidance on when is the appropriate time to make a request for a name change and how timing may be everything when it comes to this issue.