How to Change Your Name in California After Divorce Divorce often brings with it a season of transition—emotionally, practically, and legally. One of the decisions you may face is whether to keep your married name, return to a prior name, or adopt a new variation. Whatever you decide, the good news is that the name change process in California is straightforward once you know the required steps and timing involved. This guide will walk you through exactly how to change your name after a divorce, covering everything from utilizing your final divorce decree to updating your Social Security card, driver’s license, and passport. Tip: You can always get expert help…
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How to Change Your Name with Social Security After Marriage? Congratulations on saying “I do”! As you bask in that newlywed glow, sharing a last name with your partner is likely on your mind. While the idea is wonderfully romantic, tackling the administrative side of a name change can feel a little less dreamy. That’s where HitchSwitch comes in! We’re here to simplify a crucial first step: updating your Social Security card after Marriage. The good news for 2025 is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is making it easier than ever to change your name, with an increasing number of individuals eligible to complete the process online. This can…
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How To Change Your Name After Marriage (11-Step Checklist)? We understand that changing your name after tying the knot can feel like a daunting task, but fret not – the experts at HitchSwitch are here to be your guiding light through every step of the name change after marriage process. This comprehensive guide will show you how to change your name after marriage, answering all your questions and making your journey as smooth as possible. With our comprehensive 11-step checklist and insightful tips, you’ll find yourself confidently navigating the name change journey and completing it in about 2 to 4 months. The guide below will provide you with expert advice…
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The Importance of Sharing a Surname with Your Kids: What to Consider In today’s evolving landscape, many people are thoughtfully deciding to keep their maiden name after marriage. The reasons are diverse and deeply personal, often stemming from a desire to maintain independence, preserve a professional identity, or simply avoid the societal pressure to change. Some feel a strong connection to their birth name, seeing it as a vital part of their identity that they wish to preserve. But as families grow and children enter the picture, a new question often arises: Will your children carry your last name, your partner’s, or a combination of both? While the decision about…
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In 2016, Lisa & Rebecca started a podcast called The Secret Life of Weddings. On a mission to tell the world’s craziest wedding stories, the podcast is, in their own words, “full of alcohol and bad ideas.” The two real-life wedding photographers have spent 20+ years working in the industry and love dishing out on some unbelievable yet hysterical wedding drama. If you’re engaged, Lisa & Rebecca promise to take you from hot mess wedding planning mode to pee your pants laughing! Here at HitchSwitch, we’re not just their #1 fans but are proud to be the official sponsor of The Secret Life of Weddings. Read below to get in…
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Do you know when you’re sitting on the toilet and scrolling through your Instagram and see a video with an elderly couple talking about how they’ve been married for 50+ years? How somehow they’ve cracked “the code” to a long, healthy, and fulfilling marriage? And you’re sitting there thinking, “how the f— did they do that?” via GIPHY Those people are my heroes because while marriage is a beautiful experience, it is undoubtedly difficult to keep afloat sometimes. Some days, you have calm waters and a relaxing sea breeze, and others are filled with storms and waves ready to drown you. There are simple strategies you can engage in helping…
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Marriage is one hell of a ride. There are numerous things to consider before getting married. Since medieval times, a woman taking her husband’s last name was understandable, no question about it. Luckily for us, those days of patriarchy are over (kinda) and changing your last name is now an independent choice! And let’s face it, the world has changed. Same-sex marriage is legal now, more women are in the work field making their name their brand/identity, some couples prefer hyphenation, some prefer keeping their surname as their middle name, and some like to change the last name entirely. All in all, there’s no shame in keeping your last name,…
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Wedding Budget Saving Tips If you could describe a wedding in three words, what would they be? If you’ve never had a wedding of your own, then let me take the words right out of your mouth. Beautiful. Elegant. Fun. Yeah, yeah, I get it, being a guest is the frickin’ best because unless you’re the bride or groom, you didn’t pay for anything. You went all dolled up, ate a filet mignon steak with a side of couscous, got drunk, and went home. That’s what guests do, and I know this because I attend over three weddings a month. My three words? Too. Damn. Expensive. via GIPHY According to Business…
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How to decide if you should change your name? Changing one’s name is no easy task, nor is it something you decide to do overnight. A person’s name is their brand and identity. It’s how people know us; it’s how they associate things with us. Like if someone mentions your name, others might associate you with your famous chicken pot pie or even something horrible, like being a total asshole. Hey, it could be something you’re proud of, who knows? Like I said, not easy. via GIPHY Now, what reasons are there for one to change their name? If you’re like me, you always thought it was just a marriage…
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Homemade Valentine’s Day Gifts In our last article, we talked about throwing an incredible Valentine’s Day party, and I’m sure if you read that article, then your Valentine’s day party was the talk of the town. Now, while your local Target is probably overfilled with human-sized teddy bears at the moment, there’s always something about homemade gifts that hold more sentimental meaning to what love truly is. To save you time and trouble, we have picked a few simple ideas that will have your partner smiling from ear to ear. via GIPHY Valentine’s Day Mason Jar “I am obsessed with Mason jars!” says the stay at home mom who spends…
