You’re entitled to keep your married name after a divorce. However, you can change your name back to your maiden name. Always communicate your choice with others to avoid confusion. You also have options of what title to go by, including Ms., Mrs., and Mx.
Table of Contents
1. Beyond Mrs: Your Title Options Post-Divorce
Whether or not you change your title after you get a divorce is up to you. If you are not changing your name back to your maiden name, then you can keep your title as Mrs. or use Ms. The title is up to you and your personal preference.
Though many people associate the title Mrs. with being married, some women do not want to change their title again. The title usually indicates a woman’s marital status, but if she has been married in the past, she has the right to keep that title.
2. The Power of Choice: Navigating Your Post-Divorce Title
Whether or not a divorced woman keeps her husband’s name and goes by Mrs. or Ms. is up to her personal preference.
After divorce, some ladies opt to keep their married name rather than jump through the hoops to change their name back to their maiden name. If this is the case, use Mrs. or Ms. However, if you change your name back to your maiden name, use Ms.
For example, if Jane Doe’s maiden name is White, she can stay Mrs. Jane Doe, go by Ms. Jane Doe, or change back to Ms. Jane White. However, if she changes her name, she should not go by Mrs. Jane White. Legally she is under no obligation to change her name back, so the choice is hers.
Even if your ex-spouse passes away, you are still entitled to keep your married name. No one can make you change your name back if you don’t want to.
3. Knowing Your Options: Title Options After Divorce
A woman can use either Ms. or Mrs. after she is divorced. Generally speaking, an adult woman will not use Miss, as it can feel a bit juvenile since it is typically used to refer to young, unmarried women.
The term Ms. can be used to describe any woman, including married women and single women. The prefix Mrs. is used to describe any married woman, even if they don’t decide to take their husband’s last name.
Traditionally, when a husband and wife are referred to together, they go by the husband’s first and last name (i.e., Mr. and Mrs. John Smith), but if it is just the woman, she only goes by her married last name (i.e., Mrs. Smith).
There is also the gender-neutral of Mx. which can be used in place of any of the other titles listed, including Mr. This title is used for anyone of any gender and any marital status.
A divorced woman can technically go by any of these titles based on her preferences. For some, changing back to Ms. may seem like the best option because it doesn’t imply that they are young and unmarried or that they are still married. However, it is their choice as to which prefix they choose.
4. To Keep It Or Not: Why Would a Divorced Woman Keep Her Old Title/Name?
Even after a divorce, a woman’s name holds much sentimental value. This is a name they have used for quite some time in most cases, and they may have an emotional attachment to it. Not to mention, it is part of their identity.
Another reason a divorced woman may keep their ex-husband’s surname is that it is a lot of work and hassle to change one’s name. There are legal documents to fill out, identification cards and professional identification documents to be changed, and in some cases, a woman’s name is their professional brand.
Changing your name after a divorce is a big job; there is much to consider. It is no wonder some women decide to keep their ex-husband’s last name, even when they separate.
5. Speak Out: Clear Communication Is Key
If you change your title back to Ms. after a divorce, communicate with others so that they don’t get confused. This is not to say you must explain yourself, but rather that you should let them know what title you prefer so that they are aware.
If you are unsure how to communicate your preferred title, one of the best ways to do it is when introducing yourself. Introduce yourself by your title and full name. However, if you already know the person and have changed your title, then being direct and letting them know that your title has changed is best.
6. Tradition vs. Autonomy: Finding Balance in Your Title Choice
After a divorce, your family or society may expect you to change your name back to your family name and resume the title of Ms. These are traditions, and some families and cultures expect you to abide by these.
However, the choice is ultimately up to you. If you do not wish to change your name and title, you certainly do not have to. Clearly communicating your feelings is the best way to navigate familial and societal pressures.
You can and should speak with your family and/or friends and explain to them why you feel the way you do. Hopefully, you can come to some sort of common ground in which everyone is satisfied.
7. Legal Considerations: What You Need To Know
Any name change must go through legal procedures to be official. This takes a lot of time and, often, money as well. The exact steps depend on the place you live in, but generally speaking, they are as follows:
- Complete the required forms
- Undergo background checks
- If required by your state, publish a notice
- Attend a hearing
- Update your official documents with your new name
- Retain proof of your previous name
This process is time-consuming and cannot be done overnight. You certainly want to ensure that all of your official documents are up to date and that you don’t forget any, so it is a tedious process if you decide to change your name.
8. Empowering Yourself: Breaking Free from Societal Expectations
For generations, males have only had one title to consider and have not had to worry about changing their names or titles. However, as society changes and the dynamics shift toward equality, it is no longer frowned upon for women to keep their family names and choose their own titles.
You are entitled to choose who you want to be known as and you should never have to answer to others because of that. Whether Ms., Mrs., Mx. or no title at all, be proud of who you are and embrace it.
It is important to embrace your own preferences, as well as accept the preferences of others. You should never disrespect anyone by assuming their title or expecting anything of them because of what society says.
What Reasons Might A Woman Have For Keeping Her Married Name After Divorce?
There are several reasons a woman may keep her married name after she gets a divorce, including the fact that she’s grown attached to it, she doesn’t want to go through the legal hassle of changing it on all of her documents and identifications, or perhaps she has a business or brand that is based on that name.
Are There Consequences For Not Changing Your Name After A Divorce?
There are no consequences for not changing your name after a divorce, per se. Other than any backlash you may receive from family or society, you are completely entitled to keep your ex’s last name.