Michigan Compiled Laws
Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.391 (2026)
Divorced woman; change of name.
✓ current as of July 2026
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CHANGE OF NAME OF DIVORCED WOMAN
Act 299 of 1905
552.391 Divorced woman; change of name.
Sec. 1.
The circuit courts of this state, whenever a decree of divorce is granted, may, at the instance of the woman, whether complainant or defendant, decree to restore to her her birth name, or the surname she legally bore prior to her marriage to the husband in the divorce action, or allow her to adopt another surname if the change is not sought with any fraudulent or evil intent.
History: 1905, Act 299, Eff. Sept. 16, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11435 ;-- CL 1929, 12787 ;-- CL 1948, 552.391 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 40, Imd. Eff. May 12, 1975
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1
case, 1976–1976 · leading case: Piotrowski v. Piotrowski, 247 N.W.2d 354 (Mich. Ct. App. 1976).
Piotrowski v. Piotrowski, 247 N.W.2d 354 (Mich. Ct. App. 1976). “" MCLA 552.391; MSA 25.181. The use of the word "may" would indicate that the court is empowered to decree the name restoration, with the only restriction being the common law one, that the change not be with any fraudulent or evil intent.”
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