AboutSally A. Kane Expertise I am an attorney and former paralegal with more than a decade of experience in the legal industry. I currently serve as a legal careers expert at About.com, providing guidance to paralegals, law students, lawyers and other legal professionals. Check out the site at http://legalcareers.about.com/ before posting your question - it may already be answered there! I do not answer homework questions or give legal advice.
Experience I have thirteen years’ experience in the legal field, ten as a litigation paralegal and three as a corporate attorney. I have worked in a variety of practice environments including large and small law firms, corporations and the judicial system. I have experience in many practice areas including products liability litigation, insurance defense, worker’s compensation and corporate law.
Publications I profile law firms across the globe for Vault’s best-selling career guides and am a legal career columnist for Litigation Support Today. My work has also appeared in numerous print and web-based publications including Legal Assistant Today, The Legal Intelligencer, Cabin Life, and Working Nurse.
Education
B.A. in English/Writing (Cum Laude) - 1989; Paralegal Certificate (Summa Cum Laude) - 1991; Juris Doctorate – Law Review - 2001.
Expert: Sally A. Kane Date: 4/19/2007 Subject: NAME CHANGE
Question I AM GETTING MARRIED IN SEPTEMBER. MY LAST NAME IS NOT THE NAME OF MY FATHER. MY MOM HAZ BEEN MARRIED 5 TIMES NOW AND MY MOM HAS CHANGED MY NAME ONCE ALREADY WHEN I WAS 12 SO THAT IT MACHED THE MAN SHE MARRIED. NOW THEY ARE DEVORCED AND I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE FAMILY WITH THIS NAME. I WOULD LIKE MY WIFE TO HAVE A LAST NAME THAT HAS MEANNING TO IT. HOW OR WHO DO I CONTACT TO GET THIS DONE? THANK YOU FOR YOU'RE TIME. ADAM R. SPERO/HACKER/WARMAN.
Answer Dear Adam,
The process for changing your name varies according to the jurisdiction in which you reside. Generally, you must complete a name change application or petition, appear in court and pay court costs and filing fees. Documentation such as an original birth certificate or picture identitification may be required. In most states, the applicant is usually required to publish the application in a local newspaper of general circulation.
Once the application is made and court costs are paid, the court will set a hearing to consider the name change petition. At the hearing, you may present your reasons for changing your name and other interested parties may comment on the petition. If no reasonable objection is made, the court will issue a judgment authorizing the name change.
Reasons a name change petition may be denied include changing a name for a fraudulent purpose, such as avoiding debts, or requesting a name that would affect other people's rights such as celebrities. Your reasons for changing your name appear valid and you will likely have no difficulty obtaining court approval.
After you have changed your name you will need to update records including your social security card, driver’s license, voter registration and passport. You will need to notify the post office, your employer, federal and state tax authorities, banks, credit cards companies, medical providers, and insurance companies. You will also need to consider changing your legal documents including your will, contracts, power of attorney and/or trusts, if applicable.
Good luck with your name change and thanks for writing!
