A very common question for any matrimonial attorney is how does the wife go back to the use of her maiden name after the divorce. New York Domestic Relations Law 240-a addresses this issue. That section provides:
Judgment or decree; additional provision. In any action or proceeding brought under the provisions of this chapter wherein all or part of the relief granted is divorce or annulment of a marriage any interlocutory or final judgment or decree shall contain, as a part thereof, the social security numbers of the named parties in the action or proceeding, as well as a provision that each party may resume the use of his or her premarriage surname or any other former surname.
In any New York State Judgment of Divorce, there will be a provision stating:
Ordered and Adjudged that (plaintiff) (defendant) is authorized to resume the use of her maiden name or other former surname, to wit _________(prior surname)
