My wife filed our divorce papers already and part of the decree was that she would keep my last name. After consideration, I do not want her to retain my last name. She has agreed to this up to this point. With the papers signed, notarized, and filed stating she would retain my last name and the final divorce decree not signed, how do I go about having her maiden name reinstated and my family name restored? – Mike

Answer:

Mike: People can call themselves whatever they want to as long as it is not for an improper or illegal reason or to defraud creditors. Some women like to keep their married name for their profession or so they will match their children’s last names. So the only way to change her name is for her to agree and the only way I know to motivate someone to do something is to offer them something they want in exchange.