What’s in a Name?

Are you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with your divorce matter? With an experienced yet compassionate attorney, such as Sabra Janko, Colorado Springs divorce attorney, along with her awesome team, we can assist with alleviating those feelings you may be having. We understand the need for wanting to start a new life after a dissolution of marriage with a name change.

There may be mixed emotions after you receive the final divorce decree. You may want to celebrate, or not. You may find yourself mourning, because this is a loss in more ways than one. And it will be different for each person. You are no longer Mr. and Mrs. So and So and you’ll be living single. If you have children as part of the child custody side of divorce, they’re either with you part of the time, or not at all, depending on the custody outcome.

I went through numerous changes after my divorce. And if you read my previous articles, then you know they range from living arrangements, finances and social status. But there is one transformation I want to share with you, and I believe it’s an important aspect of a divorce: Identity. Depending how long you were married, you weren’t you for years. You had someone else’s last name, you shared space, property, finances and children with another person. Now you’re starting over again and that’s ok. If you read my article, ‘Finding You,’ I have given some insight into reclaiming your identity and finding your path as a single person.

One significant change I made was my name. I didn’t revert to my maiden name, so I legally changed my first and last. New life, new name! I selected a first name I always loved, as well as a last name I thought was cool. Growing up with my birth last name wasn’t easy. I got made fun of and being an awkward girl with a last name like mine was a nightmare. When I told family about my name change, my parents were sad, my brother said it was insulting and disrespectful but he understood why. My sisters said they were proud of the family last name. Regardless, it’s my life, I’m an adult and I can do what I want, right? My friends of course were supportive. Plus, I would have random people tell me how beautiful my name is.

The process wasn’t difficult, but it was tedious. It’s a similar process to a name change after marriage or after a divorce, but with a few extra steps. I had referred to the name change laws in Colorado, then gathered the fees, documentation, background check, and fingerprints before I filed with my county’s courthouse. That was the easy part. After I received the final name change decree, that’s when the real work started. Anything and everything associated with my name had to be changed: driver’s license, social security card and car insurance, work, insurance for medical and dental, car registration and title, credit cards, passport, even my frequent flyer account. I had to create a new email address, change my iPhone ID and notify the United States Postal Service. That’s what I remember at the moment; I know there’s more.

I kept copies of the decree on my phone and in my files. It was my golden ticket to transform my world. Names certainly have meanings and history behind them. Parents name us after relatives, celebrities, or they chose one that seems fitting. Some names are cool and edgy. Others are pretty and unique. I always felt my birth name was okay. Then when I had the chance to start anew, I wanted something sophisticated, rolls off the tongue, and even a little mysterious. And after sitting down with pen and paper and playing around with different iterations, Scarlette Katherine Reece was born! I’m not suggesting that everyone go out and do the same because this was a personal preference. However, the act of doing so had set me on a good path to a new and exciting life. I don’t have huge major changes for right now, but like everything else, it’ll take time.

If you are needing a caring and compassionate Colorado Springs divorce lawyer to assist you with your family law matter and name change, please feel free to contact us for a free consultation about Colorado Springs divorce, child custody and family law at 719-344-5523.