Name change when estranged from parents

[howdowedothenewnormal]

My divorce should be finalised in the next few months. It’s relatively amicable and I always thought I’d keep my STBXH surname, mostly as I am estranged from my parents and don’t want my Dad’s name back.

Recently I’ve been thinking about changing my name as I’m not sure I want to spend the rest of my life with his name.

I am still close to extended family and they have all had or have a very common family surname. This is my mother’s maiden name.

Would it be weird to change my name upon divorce to my mother’s maiden name rather than my own? realise I can call myself what I like I don’t need permission.

just wondered if if it would seem odd?

Nah it’s a great idea. Do it!

No, I think it's the obvious name to choose if you don't want to your maiden name or married name (it's your name now though,not his, so fine if you want to keep it!)

I would have suggested this if you had asked what name you should choose.

Thank you, I think this might just have legs. I’ve run it past the DC (almost 17 and 15) and the oldest wants to change her name to it as well and the youngest wants to double barrel it with her Dad’s name. This could open a whole can of worms I guess.

Kids would need parental permission, until they reach 18. But that's not far away, even if it became an issue.

I changed to my mother’s maiden name before I got married and then ended up taking my husband’s name. I think it’s a really sensible choice- you’re ‘entitled’ to it as a family name.