Changing Name By Deed Poll questions (merged)

troglodyte

As for all of you having the same name, there is nothing to stop you changing your name without deed poll. You simply tell whoever needs to know that you are now whatever your new name is.

This is from the citizen's advice bureau website:
If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.

For more info:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/change_of_name.htm

Regarding getting married vs living together, that is a separate issue and a very complicated one - again, read more here:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/cohabitation_and_marriage_legal_differences.htm

Strapped

As has been said, there are "legal remedies" to most of the issues of not being married in order to create the same rights as being married. But all more expensive than simply marrying (which can be done with no fuss in a reigstry office, with any two people as witnesses). That said, divorce could be more expensive than splitting up while co-habiting, esp if you own the majority of the assets (house).

Another thing to consider, is the scenario if your partner were to get ill and go into hospital. I'm not sure how you would stand re. being able to consent to treatment etc for him, or in the worst scenario, have first claim to his body/funeral arrangements, without being married - although I think a POA would enable this?

hannahsmummy1

I remember before we got married i signed a form for hubbys pensions to say that i would get half when he dies, the other 50 % split between the 2 kids.

Savvy_Sue

If you've decided NOT to get married, you DEFINITELY need to make a will. It is the ONLY way to ensure that what you want to happen to your worldly goods after your death actually happens.

But a will becomes invalidated on marriage, unless you make it 'in contemplation of marriage'. However, if you make a will now NOT 'in contemplation' and then get married a few years down the line, it should be easy to re-write it, plus you may find that what happens without a will is closer to what you'd want anyway.

I hope that makes sense ... we're probably giving you more things to procrastinate over!

hannoja

Thanks for the replies. Exactly what I was looking for

I've seen the CAB info. about name changing before and found it a little lacking.. it leaves things a bit 'open' by saying 'certain organisations require...' well, which? I hadn't really appreciated just how great a service they can be though, and the thought of possibly being able to get the precise advice I'm after via email is rather appealing! So, thanks for that. I'll be contacting them next week.

Making a will isn't really something I'd planned on doing; not because I assume that I will live to be old and can make one in a few years, but just because it didn't seem as much of a priority as some of the other things I need to do. We don't know our futures though and I need to do the best I can for my little guys, including covering the possibility of me/us not being around to look after them. I will also look into will-making next week.

Yes I realise the prominence of 'next week', but I have to get ready for work soon!

seven-day-weekend

This advice may not be popular these days, but I personally can't see why, if you have been together ten years, have children together, a house together etc, why you have any problem with being married. You can do the deed in your lunch hour really cheaply if that's what you want.

If you are not married then making a will is your first priority, even if only to appoint a guardian for your children (presumably this will be your partner), in the event of your death while they are still minors.

margaretclare

Everyone who has children should have 2 things: (1) Life assurance and (2) a will. Everyone!!

I agree with 7DWE above, but I can't see why the issue of name-change is such a priority. Many people don't take their husband's name on marriage, there is not, and never has been, a requirement in English law for a woman to take husband's name on marriage - it's just 'custom and practice'.

Margaret

Janepig

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

This advice may not be popular these days, but I personally can't see why, if you have been together ten years, have children together, a house together etc, why you have any problem with being married. You can do the deed in your lunch hour really cheaply if that's what you want.

If you are not married then making a will is your first priority, even if only to appoint a guardian for your children (presumably this will be your partner), in the event of your death while they are still minors.

^^^^ What SDW said. That first point always foxes me too.

Jxx

hannoja

A few years ago, I would have agreed with you. Unfortunately, life doesn't always turn out as we'd hoped. Sadly, things are sometimes less simple than we'd like them to be.

bluebell13

hannoja wrote: »

A few years ago, I would have agreed with you. Unfortunately, life doesn't always turn out as we'd hoped. Sadly, things are sometimes less simple than we'd like them to be.

As someone in a similar situation I totally agree. Sometimes you just have to live as best you can with the circumstances as they are.