Following the dissolution of marriage in Florida, a party may seek to resume a prior surname. This action is typically accomplished during the divorce proceedings themselves, with a specific request included in the final judgment. The legal mechanism allows for the restoration of a maiden name or a prior name legally used before the marriage.
Reverting to a former surname after a divorce offers individuals a sense of closure and a fresh start. It can simplify identification documents and align one’s legal identity with personal preference. Historically, this process offered women a way to distance themselves from their former spouse and re-establish their individual identity within society.