Hi audrey, glad you got everything finalised..
In the U.K we don't have to go to court to make a legal name change. I made an appointment with a solicitor in early 2004 and it took about 10 minutes in their office. The hardest bit was changing all the documentaion and making sure nothing had been left out on any computer databases.
It took about 10 months to make sure every stone had been turned and every detail and document had been changed. Passport, driving license, National Insurance, Voting poll, Medical Card, NHS, Bank accounts, etc etc...