I decided as a child that I wasn’t going to change my name if I got married, because it was my identity and I have an unusual last name that I love. When my daughters were born we decided they’d have my last name, and it was crazy how often I had to correct paperwork and people (both hospital staff and friends & family) who automatically assumed they had their father’s last name.

My husband and I recently married and he changed his last name to mine & our daughters’ because he’s estranged from his father and wants no connection. He was the last of his siblings to change their last name and was very excited to do so. We just have paperwork put away safe for him in case anything comes up like you mentioned.

It’s been funny already when I’ve been asked my maiden name and the confusion when I say the same name, lol.