Maryland Divorce ~ Changing Last Names
In most states you can request that the judge in charge of your divorce make a formal order restoring your former or birth name. You will need certified copies of the order as proof of the name change. Once you have this official information you may begin to change your name with the Maryland MVA and all of your personal records.
If your divorce papers don't show your name change, you stall may be able to retain your former name especially if you still have proof of that name such as your birth certificate or an outdated passport.
A child's name may be changed by court petition when it is clearly in the best interest of the child. Courts consider many factors on a decision to change a child's last name such as the length of time the father's last name has been used, the strength of the mother-child relationship and the need of the child to identify with a new family unit, such as remarriage. The courts must balance these factors against the importance of the father-child relationship. It is more or less up to the judge to decide what is in the child's best interest.
Even if your child's last name is changed, you wont be changing the legally recognized father of your child. A name change will also not affect the rights or responsibilities of either parent regarding child support, visitation or inheritance rights.