Name Changes ... Name changes are available in the course of a marriage dissolution proceeding without bringing a separate action. The person whose name is being changed cannot do so to commit fraud or evade creditors or a criminal record but they are generally able to change their name even with debt or criminal history with the proper procedures being met. Either or both spouses can change their names at the time of the dissolution.

Name changes are also available separately by petition to the court so if in the course of a divorce you want to wait to change your name, that desire is easily accommodated. For separate proceedings, there is, of course, a separate court file opened and a separate court filing fee. It may also cost less when it is just included in the dissolution and not the basis of a separate case. If children are involved it is harder to change their name if the other parent is not in agreement, so some people do wait to change their own name until the children are adults.