I have my own name thing going on – no ‘priors’, but I’ll tell you what I’ve done.

As a jewelry appraiser, my name and signature has been on everything I’ve turned out in the past four years. Appraiser’s names get known by underwriters and agents, as to the quality of my work, etc. My maiden name is on my gemology diploma. The jewelry industry (professional level – people and stores with credentials and memberships) is also very small, so again, my name means something.

Legally, I am dropping my maiden name and taking DH’s last name. I love using my middle initial and have always used it for everything (just seeing my first and last looks WEIRD!).

Professionally, I have dropped my middle initial, and use both last names. I sign my appraisals ‘Stephanie Maiden Married’, with no hypen. It’s on my business cards too. I plan to do this for a year or so, to smooth the way with the insurance and jewelry industry into the new last name. But eventually, I will drop my maiden name all together, and just be one name all the time. It’s been a little confusing learning both new signatures…LOL!

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