How to take my name back
How I did it: I learned that because I just ASSUMED my soon-to-be ex's name when we married, I had never really, truely, LEGALLY changed my name -- that I could easily CHOOSE to go back to my maiden name whenever I wanted to.
I got in contact with the issuers of my photo id, and they were easily able to reissue my ID in my maiden name, given that I have a copy of my original birth certificate.
From the day I learned of this to the day I got my ID was only 14 days. Changing banking and bills and other contact information will be a slower process...
Lessons & tips: Check with someone who knows the laws. When you get married you ASSUME your name legally changed, because that is what we have always believed to be true. But in a lot of places it is custom, not legal change, that allows this, and therefore can be easily undone.
Resources: Passport Canada, Vital Statistics and Legal Aid were all able to give me useful information for FREE to assist me in getting my maiden name back
I do expect that there will be some issues with the kids having their father's name... but we'll work throught hat
