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Changing Your Last Name to Your Current Middle Name

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  • 02-04-2014, 08:26 PM
    elfrea
    Changing Your Last Name to Your Current Middle Name
    My question involves name change laws in the State: Indiana.

    This question is more for my perplexed nature towards the "reason for name change" question. My intention is to omit the paternal name given to me and use my middle name in place. The true reason is a deeply personal one that I don't feel should be placed on a court document for public record. My motivation is to step forward as my own person without the emotional baggage my current last name brings to me.

    Any suggestions on a more eloquent wording?
  • 02-04-2014, 08:36 PM
    Disagreeable
    Re: "Dropping"/Omitting Last Name
    I am not happy moving forward in life with XXXXX as my name for personal reasons.
  • 02-04-2014, 08:48 PM
    jk
    Re: "Dropping"/Omitting Last Name
    How about something simple like:

    I wish to not be associated by name with members of my family known by the surname of Lastname.

    I wouldn't worry too much about eloquence. You just want the judge to say; ok, you will hereby be known as Elf Middlename.

    I actually do not see anything in the statutes requiring a reason to change your name or having to disclose said reason to the courts. I do not think they are too worried about why as long as there is something for a reason so the courts know it isn't for one of the reasons you cannot change your name.

    http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/cod.../ar28/ch2.html
  • 02-04-2014, 09:18 PM
    elfrea
    Re: "Dropping"/Omitting Last Name
    Thank you for your suggestion!
  • 02-04-2014, 09:22 PM
    elfrea
    Re: "Dropping"/Omitting Last Name
    Much appreciated for the link and advice. I understand it is more of a way to ensure one is not avoiding the law with a name change. Still not sure what to put there.. Thanks for the help.
  • 02-04-2014, 09:40 PM
    adjusterjack
    Re: "Dropping"/Omitting Last Name
    True, nothing in the statute required you to put a reason in your petition but I'm guessing that when you have your hearing, the judge is likely to ask you for the reason.

    You needn't be concerned with public record. Once you get your name change decree from the court I seriously doubt that anybody's going to care enough to look it.
  • 02-05-2014, 04:00 AM
    jk
    Re: "Dropping"/Omitting Last Name
    Also, if I read the forms correctly, the reason is not asked for on the actual order that changes your name. That means it would only be on the original filing.
  • 02-05-2014, 08:28 AM
    flyingron
    Re: "Dropping"/Omitting Last Name
    Unless you say "I'm trying to avoid creditors or judgements " or "I'm trying to hide my previous felony record" the reason isn't likely to make any difference to the judge.
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