After a divorce, is it right for the ex wife to continue using your name?

[Crystal]

well you gave her this last name she can use it until she changes it her self, it just the way it is

[Happy-2]

If she changed her last name when she married you, then it's not just your name, it's HERS too now.

[STEEL]

NO. I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT.
My mother and my father got divorced 20 years ago and she still uses the same last name. I'm not sure why, since my father has re-married and since my mother has been with the same guy for the last 18 years. If I were my mother's "common law husband" I would be a little ticked as to why she kept her ex husband's last name. But I think she did it just to spite my father and stick it to his new wife. Even though my mother is the one who left my dad, she's still bitter over the fact that he moved on. So again, to answer your question, no I don't think it's right. What could possibly be the point?

Okay, just read some of the other answers and I guess it makes sense if there are small children involved who don't understand why mommy's last name is different from theirs. And I suppose it makes sense when you're at the school or at the doctors office. But if there aren't any kids involved? Or if they're adults? Then I stand by my previous answer.

[La Vie Boheme]

I'm on the fence about this one. On one hand, it IS actually her legal name but on the other hand, I don't understand WHY a woman would want to keep it. I was married for 18 years and changed mine back to my birthname.

[mmm]

pardon me - but you gave her that name - it now belongs to her

[MRS.B+3]

It depends on the circumstances, if there are children involved then yes I think it is right for her to keep the married name, it is a difficult time for children as it is and if mummy suddenly starts going by a different name then it could make things even more difficult for them especially if other children start asking questions.

It's not technically wrong for her to carry on using the name although I don't know why (for any other reason then the kids) she would want to keep the married name, perhaps it's the convenience of keeping a name most people will know you by already?

[Saltirelass]

I reverted to my maiden name just before I divorced him. Got rid of him and got rid of his name.He didn't deserve me using his name.