During the divorce process, all parties involved have to make difficult decisions, compromises, and concessions. Women, however, have a unique and complex decision to make during the process, the decision to restore their maiden name.

Many women have built their careers using their married name or prefer to have the same last name as their children and are unsure if they want to or should change it. Even then, changing their last name is not typically the first thing that crosses women's minds during a divorce. Dividing assets, determining custody, and simply reconciling the fact that the marriage is ending often take precedence.

Still, the timing of the decision is important and putting it on the back burner can be costly. In the state of Florida, women have the option to regain their maiden name for free as long as their divorce case is open. After it closes, the law does not differentiate between a new name and restoring a maiden name, resulting in a $400 charge to change it. There is also the option to pay $50 to petition to reopen the divorce case, but it is subject to a judge's discretion whether or not the petition is recognized.