madhhab

Do newly converts, men and women, have to abide by a certain school of the well-known Juristic Schools: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi`i, Hanbali schools? If yes, can he/she choose his/her own Madhhab according to his/her free will? What about a woman, should she abide by the same Juristic School (Madhhab) of her husband?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I follow the Hanafi Madhhab (School of Fiqh) in `ibadat (acts of worship). I try to stick to one madhhab because I don’t want to pick and choose rulings for their convenience.Some scholars say wiping over ordinary socks while making wudu’ (ablution) is valid, while the Hanafi School rejects it. Is this true and if it is, would my salah be valid?I find the Hanafi ruling regarding joining Prayers is more of a hardship than a help. May I join my Prayers in the time of one of them, and if I do so, is my Prayer valid if the rest of it is according to Hanafi rulings? What about hardship when not traveling? I am really not convinced by the Hanafi arguments. Jazakum Allah khayran.