By Bolaji Ogungbemi
The romantic practice of using “Mr.” and “Mrs.” or “Mr. & Mrs.” to address a married couple is very common in Nigeria. It is germane to state that referring to a married couple in a transactional documents, agreement, contract, Deed, or indeed any legal document as “Mr. and Mrs. Lovejack Loveth” is not proper in Nigerian law.
Our law does not recognize romance in legal or transactional documents. It recognizes certain identifable names. Means of Identification must be identical with individuals. Some people will buy land and sign an agreement as “Mr. & Mrs.” My dear, Court is not a wedding invitation document, and also the Nigerian bank or registry will not recognize you for opening an account.
Love Name is cool but not legal because it is not a legal entity nor recognized by law. It does not confer any legal status, nor does it establish a separate legal identity or create a joint entity.
“Mr. & Mrs.” is identity confusion; it may be declared defective or unenforceable if the true parties cannot be identified. Our law recognizes individuals as separate entities, and their rights and obligations are specifically and separately defined by their individual status, not their marital status or title. Being married does not change this.
NOW, as a married woman, you can change your name or add your husband’s name to your name, and the processes are fully documented, and the new name becomes a new recognized and identifiable entity and your means of identification must reflect the new name.
You can write the names of each partner (i.e., husband and wife) in full and separately and sign separately in a transactional document or agreement. For example, Mr. Olodujack Robinson & Mrs. Lovely Robinson and not Mr. & Mrs. Robinson or Mr. & Mrs. Olodujack Robinson or Mr. & Mrs. Lovely Robinson.
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