What name do I use if the divorce court granted my request but I am using another name?
Full Question:
Answer:
It is not clear from your question what papers you neglected to complete. Requesting a name change, back to a maiden name, is quite common and is legal in New Jersey. If the court granted the request for the name change, it would have become part of the divorce decree. No other paperwork may have been necessary.
It may be beneficial to review carefully the divorce decree to verify that the name change was granted.
If indeed it was granted and you have not been using your new legal name, you may have to produce the decree to the various places that are recognizing only your other name, such as your bank.
If the divorce court did not effectively change your name and you still want that name, you would have to petition the courts in New Jersey for a legal name change or you could return to the divorce court to ask the judge to modify the decree.
