| A rose by any other name is still a rose…read on:
CLIENT QUESTION:
Hi. I got married and changed my name to my married name. Do I need to change my name on my will, trust documents, POA for my mom, etc? My condo attorney told me I don’t have to change my condo deed or my loan so maybe these other legal documents can stand as is? As always, appreciate your help.
MY RESPONSE:
Congratulations on your marriage! The answer to your question is generally, no. All your current documents remain effective but you may have the hassle from time to time of having to explain the name change. For example, if you go into a bank with your mother’s power of attorney to transact business on her behalf, you had better bring a copy of your marriage certificate and proof of your previous name. It will not ultimately be a problem, just more paperwork, explaining, and perhaps some delay. Of course, there is a cost to changing all your documents to reflect your new name and that is why most people do not bother. Most people would think it is not worth the money…but some do. The bottom line is that there is no legal reason you need to change the documents, just a practical one.
I hope this helps. |
