Should I change my name back to unmarried?

[DivorcedAndDelighted]

Would appreciate your thoughts and advice. Been divorced for a few years now. I've kept using my married surname because I didn't see the need to change it, though I have used my unmarried name on a new qualification. I still have 2 children in secondary school. I'd like to use my unmarried name more, feel like I'd like to cut that tie. But are there any reasons not to change my name back? Has anyone regretted doing it with DC under 18? I've heard stories about travel being difficult - how about keeping my passport in married name? It will be due renewal after my youngest turns 18 so that could wait until then.

Carol Kirkwood the weather presenter has remarried but kept her previous husband name for her TV work, do what feels best for you.

I had a different name to my children when they were young...I remarried after divorcing their dad. It didn't cause me any issues travelling, so if that's your only worry it needn't stop you 👌🏻

It's honestly up to you OP - whatever feels right to you. I know people who've done both.

I'm in the same boat. Took my exH name aged 25 when we married. Got divorced 20 years later but had three children and I wanted the same name as them so I've kept his name. However I use my maiden name at work although can't on anything official like travel docs or credit card or anything legal such as letters as I'm still officially known by my married name. ExH has remarried so I would like to change but don't know what to change to and that (plus that I'm lazy and cba) is whats stopping me

I can't remember why it came up but my DC were really upset about this idea. I wouldn't actually want to change it back to my maiden name, both it and my marital name are associated with abusive men though and if that wasnt the case I'd be egar to lose XH surname. I've been thinking about changing my surname to my middle name when my kids are adults.

Thanks everyone. Looking through other threads, it seems the travelling with kids issue isn't a big deal if you go prepared with documents. I may go for it. It's taken me a long time to do some symbolic things but I think they are worth it.

I think I'm going to gradually do it - bank accounts, mortgage etc - the last thing to change will be passport once kids are older (hopefully can do it this way but I read since my birth certificate is obviously my maiden name then it's not like have to use deed poll)

I changed mine by deed poll as my divorce took forever. I feel more 'me' with my family name.

I also wouldn't want to change back to my maiden name, due to my abusive father. So I thought that if I ever pluck up the courage to ask for a divorce from my abusive husband, I could change my name to my maternal grandmother's maiden name, which is quite a nice name anyway.

I did it almost immediately! You don’t even need to wait for the legal divorce. You are allowed to use your maiden name when married. A few places wanted documents so i sent copies of birth certificate and decree absolute.

I don’t think my kids were bothered, and I’ve travelled abroad with them with no issue at all.

Couldn't wait to get rid of his name.
My dad gave me a good name and I have it back

I have thought about this but although I divorced my abusive ex 23 years ago, I wanted to have the same name as my DC and it would be too much paperwork to change it back now. I’ve had my married name for half my life and it’s my professional name.