Child Name Changes

I have a fairly unique (and frankly, sad) situation. After I divorced the biological father of my two children and he terminated his parental rights, I changed their last names to my maiden name. A few years later, I remarried. With the intention of my husband adopting them in the future, we changed their last names to my new married name. After 10 years, my husband revealed his true nature and has discontinued all care of and / or for my children. So, here’s my question. I’m aware than the NC Statute states that a parent may change a minor’s name up to twice. However, can I change it BACK to a previous name? My children are now 13 and 15; neither of them wish to claim his last name (they’ve actually both started signing their school work with a previously used last name).

There is no restriction preventing the change back to a previous name.