Do You Go By Different Names? Ensure That Your Estate Planning Attorney Knows
What is in a name? If you are a beneficiary of an estate, or if you are setting up an estate plan, your name means a great deal. It is not unusual for a person to go by different names, such as the name we are given at birth and the names we choose for ourselves. Some of us use nicknames; others use our middle name or initials as our primary name. We may also legally change our name due to marriage, divorce, gender identity, or personal preference. Some people even use different names within specific communities and groups. However you choose to identify yourself and whether you have changed your name formally or informally—in the eyes of the court or just among friends and family—you need to ensure that any different names, and variations thereof, are reconciled across legal documents, including your estate plan, to avoid confusion and unintended outcomes. Same Person, Different Name: Name Variations Are Common Your name is a seemingly simple detail that may not receive much atte...
