There are many reasons why an individual may seek to have their name changed legally.
Our firm has handled every name change situation, from divorce to a minor child’s legal adoption. Sometimes, 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 with their identity.
David Betz was great to work with. He was patient, listened carefully, and was able to make non-biased, rational recommendations that both parties would agree to. I could tell he has a lot of mediation experience as he cut right through the emotional vomit and laid out the facts. His wisdom greatly expedited a resolution to my case and avoided a costly trial. I would highly recommend the Betz Law Firm to anyone seeking a sensible, professional mediation experience.
Unfortunately, I found myself in a difficult situation and in need of mediation; Mr. Betz stepped up with only a moments notice. My previous experience with mediation was horrific, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the experience with Mr. Betz. His calm demeanor and efficiency was greatly appreciated, not to mention his willingness to step into an unknown situation and make it better, so very thankful.
I experienced a very difficult divorce process 6 years ago. There's no need to get into the details, but calling it difficult is quite an understatement. My now former spouse had unlimited funds for attorney's fees, and I did not. The whole process took 20 months from start to finish.
My primary concern was for the future of both children. David made his decisions on facts and what he believed to be best for the kids. He did an incredible job of remaining objective amidst all the distractions and what I'll call the antics of the other three attorneys, yes, three attorneys employed by the opposing side at different times during the 20 months.
David's recommendations to the judge never wavered from what was best for the kids. I am writing this review now because I can definitely state that David's recommendations were what was best for the kids. The kids are now 17 and 15, and they are thriving. Yes, I did my part as a parent, but I would never have had the chance to do so without the intelligence and integrity of David. He has the right combination of life experience, courage, and intelligence to earn the trust of anyone representing their children. I cannot say enough good things about David's commitment to being an exemplary GAL.
I will close by saying that I am a paramedic and have been for a long time. Paramedics judge each other on whether we would want a particular paramedic working on our children in an emergency. Using that benchmark, I trust David to work on behalf of my kids, and if you have the opportunity to have David represent your children, you can trust him to advocate for the most vulnerable individuals in a divorce who need protection the most.
I contacted the Betz Law Firm to handle changing my name this year.
The firm was very professional and returned my inquiry quickly. I worked with Debbye and she handled everything with accuracy and kindness.
Everything was handled quickly and easily. Debbye displayed her excellent knowledge of the process as she walked me through everything. Overall, they took great care of me. Truly a white glove experience! I cannot recommend Betz highly enough and will be back to any future legal needs.
Attorney David Betz was appointed Guardian ad Litem to represent my minor child during a highly contested divorce proceeding. Attorney Betz developed a structured and safe plan during the proceeding and recommended a final arrangement that was in the best interest of my minor child to keep him protected and ensure his safety.
David was very helpful and respectful all around. He took the time to hear my Son’s concerns and made him feel comfortable sharing these concerns. He was always on time and ready to handle our case, always prepared. I appreciate that, to me it shows that he really does care about the families he’s helping. I highly recommend him if you are considering a GAL for your case.
I appreciate Mr. Betz taking the time and effort to get to know everyone, especially including by being a part of depositions, and helping to facilitate an opportunity for us to move forward amicably in a co-parenting dynamic. I would recommend him.
I have known David for many years, working on cases and outside of work. He is a fantastic advocate, has high standards, is well respected and sticks to his principles. He gets the struggles parents can face raising kids these days. I really admire his courage and how he fights to make a positive difference in people's lives, especially for his clients.
The Betz law firm did an amazing and efficient job executing on my non-contested divorce. My ex drug his feet and the law firm kept on him and even was prepared to go forward with a non-response judgement. My ex responded the day before we went for a non-responsive judgement and agreed, finally. The judge signed off within the week and I was notified via email that my divorce was final a few days prior to receiving the email. I never had to go to their office or to court to face my ex. From start to finish, this took 6 months almost to the day. Again, my ex drug his feet, this could have probably gone faster. Thank you Debbye Laskey for keeping the paperwork straight and to Mr. Betz for the legal components.
Mr. Betz is an exceptional attorney who has been an advisor for me and represented many of my clients. He is well respected within the legal community and trusted by all.
David and his team are excellent to work with. The care, expertise, along with the ease and frequency of communications always kept me well informed and aware of the status of my situation. I cannot recommend The Betz Law Firm enough and I won’t hesitate to call them again in the future if I ever require their services again.
Mr Betz worked with both of us for us with our mediation, no matter how frustrating she was becoming. He handled the situation very calmly and professionally. Thank you for helping it come to a resolution.
I have worked with Mr. Betz a number of times and have always found him to be a wonderful GAL and mediator. He does the work, gets things done, and cares about the tasks and people involved. I highly recommend him as both a GAL and mediator.
I hired the services of David Betz for purposes of getting a name change and him and his paralegal Debbye were professional, answered emails promptly, and were able to handle a complication in my case with no problems. Would highly recommend Mr. Betz.
David was very professional and helpful for our child during a recent litigation. I would highly recommend his firm for GAL service or attorney service!
I was very impressed with Mr. Betz’s service. He was the GAL for my children. He was very professional, fair-but-caring and advocated tireless for the children’s best interests. He took his time to talk to them about their wishes, giving us sound advice and guided us through an otherwise contentious process. I appreciated his professionalism, ethics and would highly recommend him.
My son and I have worked with David Betz for several years in custody matters concerning my grandson. I have found him to be genuinely concerned with our situation and responsive to our needs. He listens carefully and handles matters promptly. He is realistic in evaluating situations and helps us to arrive at the best possible alternatives. I highly recommend him for family law matters.
I am a transfeminine nonbinary person that used The Betz Firm to get my name changed. They were extremely affirming, and excited to work with me through this as it was an immensely huge deal for me. Thank you Betz Firm, for making this a reality for me!
Joel and David are extremely helpful and helped with everything I needed. They are kind and worked with me with all of my needs regarding my case! I would recommend to everyone!
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution in which a neutral third party helps disputing parties resolve conflict without involving a judge.
While it may seem simple, it is in your best interest to allow our team of experienced name-change lawyers to help file a petition to change your name. A judge is required to rule on these matters in St. Louis, and without the assistance of an attorney, there is a greater chance your petition will not be granted.
What Information Does the Court Require?
As part of the petition, certain requirements of the St. Louis family court must be met for the matter to be considered. This includes:
The petitioner’s current name and the name they would like changed to.
Why is the name change necessary?
Proof of residency.
The petitioner’s date and place of birth, along with the names of both parents, including their mother’s maiden name.
The petitioner’s spouse’s name (married), any children, and the ages and residence of the children will be required.
If this is a second name change, the name of the court that allowed the first, the place, and the date.
Any liens pending against the petitioner or court orders involving money, the case number, and the court’s name in which the action is pending.
Proof that the legal name change will not harm any other person or persons.
Our team of family lawyers will help you complete these documents in accordance with St. Louis law and ensure that you have all the required supporting evidence.
Can a Petition For a Name Change Be Denied?
In St. Louis, family law judges take name changes very seriously. They will not allow an individual to change their name to one that is not proper or detrimental to another party. They also reserve the right to ask for supporting evidence to the contrary if they feel that a name change is being requested to defraud another person, avoid legal judgments or actions, or avoid having to repay a debt or other obligation.
Also, a third party may object to a petition for a legal name change. If so, the court will be compelled to examine the matter to ensure the petition does not violate its guidelines.
Public Notification
St. Louis family courts require that, within 20 days of a name change petition being granted, the individual must make the change public by publishing it in a general-circulation periodical for 3 consecutive weeks. The notice must contain your previous name as well as your new one.
The petitioner must file proof of publication with the court within 10 days of the last publication date. Once this is verified, the petitioner will receive a copy of the order.
If the petitioner for a name change is a minor, any parent not a party to the petition is entitled to be notified of the intent to change their name by certified or registered mail. That parent has the right to attend the hearing and make any objections to the petition known to the court.
Have Questions About Your Missouri Name Change?
The name change process in Missouri involves court filings, hearings, and notifications that can feel overwhelming on your own. The Betz Law Firm helps St. Louis clients complete the process smoothly and correctly.
A woman returning to her maiden name will not need to make any changes to her birth certificate. Other individuals may change their own if desired by sending a certified copy of their judgment to their birth state’s Department of Health.
In addition to their birth certificate, individuals who have legally changed their names may also need to update the information on their driver’s license and Social Security card.
Minors’ Requests for a Legal Name Change
A minor can request a name change in St. Louis, but the petition will not be granted without both parents’ consent. If consent is not filed, proof must be shown that the parent or parents were notified of the petition and hearing through certified or registered mail.
Name Change Lawyers in St. Louis, Missouri
Changing your name is a multi-step process involving paperwork and court procedures. Allow our professional name-change attorneys to assist you with your petition to ensure there are no unforeseen hurdles during the process.
Speak With an Experienced Attorney
Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families navigate life-changing events.
