If you live in Missouri and want to change your legal name, do you need the help of a lawyer? The answer to this question depends on how you look at it. The short answer is no; the law doesn’t require you to have a lawyer to change your name. However, most people don’t realize that the process to change a name involves a court process. It’s not just a matter of filling out a form and having it done.
At The Betz Law Firm, we have handled every type of name change situation, from divorce to a minor child’s legal adoption. In some instances, a name change petition may be part of a larger family law matter, such as with a divorce. Non-gender conforming individuals, such as transgender or non-binary, may wish to change their name to fit their identity.
If you are 18 years of age or older and want to change your name, you must file a Petition for Change of Name. The petition must state important information required by the law for a name change to be approved and granted. The petition must describe who you are, where you live, why you want to change your name, and whether or not the change is being made in good faith.
An attorney can help you with the entire process, from drafting the petition, reviewing it, and then filing it. They will also appear in court at the hearing, where the court allows a lawyer to help with handling specific tasks.
From start to finish, your name change attorney will provide you with all the necessary help and information you need to change your name successfully. They will provide you with the correct documents and perform the necessary background checks. Having an attorney will give you peace of mind knowing that the process is being handled correctly. They will ensure that the entire process will run smoothly.
The majority of name change petitions are approved. However, a judge may deny your request if your petition is incomplete or it fails to provide all of the information required by law. If the judge thinks your petition is not in good faith, it will be denied. An example of this is if you are changing your name to avoid creditors.
Your name change lawyer will help you overcome these hurdles and will likely help you avoid them altogether.
Changing your name is a multi-step process involving paperwork and court procedures. Allow our team of professional name change attorneys to assist you with your petition to ensure that there are no unforeseen hurdles during the process.
Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families navigate life-changing events.
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