Name Changes

NAME CHANGE

The law varies with name changes as it is depending upon whether the name change is sought for an adult or a child. Sometimes, the court has no discretion regarding the name change being sought, for example decree of divorce or annulment. The court shall change the name of a party specifically requesting the change to a name previously used by the parties unless the courts states in the decree a reason for denying the change of name.

Other times the court may order the change, but it is within the discretion of the court for example the name of a child being change if the change is in the best interest of the child and certain other requirements are met.

If you have convicted with a felony, special rules apply.

WHAT ARE SOME ACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR GETTING A NAME CHANGE IN TEXAS?

A court will not grant a change of name for any reason. Rather, the court must fine that it is the petitioner’s best interest to grant the name change. Some of the reasons a court may decide to grant a name change are:

1.      adoption,

2.      partners wanting to share the same last name,

3.      divorce,

4.      hard to spell names,

5.      names associated with an infamous criminal,

6.      wanting to have a name associated with a developed pen name,

7.      wanting to disassociate with an abusive relative,

8.      change of familial relationships, 

9.      person is a crime of identity theft, and

10.  gender marker/name change.

Heather knows how important it is to make sure your name change is handled correctly, and she takes every care to make sure the process runs smoothly for you.