CHANGE OF NAME AFTER DIVORCE:

MAKE GENDER NEUTRAL

House Bill 5513

Sponsor:  Rep. Pam Byrnes

Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 1-8-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5513 AS INTRODUCED 12-4-07

Currently, after a divorce is granted by a court, the court may restore a woman's maiden name or her legal surname prior to the marriage.  If a man, however, had taken all or a part of his wife's name, he must complete a formal court procedure at an additional cost to restore his prior surname.

House Bill 5513 would amend Public Act 299 of 1905, which provides for changing and determining the names of divorced women, to instead provide for changing and determining the names of divorced individuals.  The bill would revise the current law to be gender neutral, applying to either or both parties in a divorce action.

MCL 552.391

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State of Michigan or its local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Viola Bay Wild

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.