Is it necessary to change a recently married daughter’s last name on legal documents?
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Is it necessary to change a recently married daughter’s last name on legal documents?
She is listed as a beneficiary on Will, life insurance policies, bank accounts, etc.
Asked on February 6, 2011 under Estate Planning, Washington
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
No, it is not necessary to do anything in this regard. A name change does not legally prevent someone from receiving any benefits, assets, distributions, proceeds, etc. due to her. If the person would be difficult to locate and/or identify due to the name change, it may be pruduent to make changes on legal documents, which could be done by a codicil to a will, by amending the designation of the beneficiarh on any insurance forms or changing the name recorded by the bank with any bank accounts, etc., but that's simply a convenience; there is no legal requirement to make these changes and the failure to do so does not not invalidate anything.
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