LEGAL nAME CHANGES THROUGH COURT

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Are you wondering how to change your legal name?  Our law firm can represent you to effectuate a name change through the courts!  You are entitled to exercise your legal right to change any part of your name if you so choose!  Maybe you want to swap your last name for your middle name.  Maybe you want to change the spelling of your first name.  Or maybe you want to change everything about your given name.  Whatever change you desire, we can assist you throughout the process if you want to change your name through the courts!

Some people want to change their name to remove stigmas or historical names that they feel inaccurately or unfairly obscures their heritage and identity.  Some people want to change their name to something that identifies closer to how you feel.  Another common reason for changing your name is if you have recently had a big life change, like a divorce or adoption, or even a marriage, and you want a name that reflects your new family situation; getting married gives you the legal right to use your spouse's last name, as proven by a certified marriage license, but you may want to change a different part of your name after marriage.  You may want to change your name for professional reasons, such as if you want to maintain some or all of your maiden name, or, if you want to take-on a new legal name that might help you “stand-out” in your industry – such as if you are an actor, writer, or work in entertainment.  Or maybe if you simply don’t like your given name because it’s too hard to pronounce, too common, too rare, or has negative associations.  Whatever the reason, we can assist you!

The name change process through court involves filing several forms, and certifying certain facts under oath in a written certification/affidavit.  You cannot change your legal name to avoid creditors (those people/businesses/entities whom you owe money to).  You cannot change your name to perpetuate any type of fraud or crime.  You CAN change your name simply because you desire to do so, because it is your legal right!

Depending on your situation, after the process plays out in court, you may have to update your new name with several other administrative and government offices such as the Treasury of the State of New Jersey, and the Bureau of Vital Statistics.  And of course, you are going to have to update your new name with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) to get an updated driver’s license. 

We can help you through the name change process in court. We will have to ask you questions to identify what names you have used over the years (if you have gone-by different names in the past) and we can assist you with drafting necessary documents and certifications.  Sometimes, the interview-like questions that we have to ask can require a significant amount of time.  You will need to be 100% honest and forthcoming with us to make sure that your legal papers filed with the Court are accepted. You may have to “do some homework” for a name change, by finding and forwarding some documents to us, which can substantiate your prior name/s – especially if you have gone-by more than one name in the past. 

We will also make sure that the documents are properly submitted, and ensure that a hearing will be set. If an appearance is required in court, we will assist you and appear with you. Upon the completion of the name change process with the court, we can advise you whether you should update your new name with various government offices.  The goal should be consolidating all of your legal affairs and accounts under a single new legal name.

Of course, as stated, the name change process requires your cooperation, both in terms of your full-disclosure of relevant information, and in terms of your efforts to obtain your personal records that may be needed to establish/identify your prior name/s.  Also, after the process is completed in court, (after the Final Judgment and Final Judgment Addendum are entered and received) you will have to update your new name with several other administrative offices.  Therefore, the name change process requires that you are committed to each step of the process. 

***Importantly, if you fail to complete each step of the process in a timely manner, and if you become distracted or too busy and fail to finish everything on time, then you will likely have to start over from square one, and the money which you had paid for filing the first time will be wasted.*** 

If you would like to change your name through the courts, contact our office for a free consultation to discuss the matter. Let us represent you!

Our office is located in Jersey City, and our firm has helped represent New Jersey residents in legal matters for decades.  Our firm primarily represents accident victims and work accident victims, (workers’ compensation), and we have successfully represented thousands of clients by obtaining monetary recoveries for damages and injuries.  We also represent our clients for a variety of legal issues, including areas other than accidents, such as with name changes!  We are a three-generation law firm, and we like to build lasting relationships with our clients by offering great legal advice and representation.  If you retain our firm to represent you, you will be able to speak directly with the attorneys handling your file, without having to worry about your case “getting lost” or ignored.  We will do everything we can to make sure that your interests are protected.  If you want to get your name changed, don’t hesitate to contact our office today!