Name Changes

Darren M. Shapiro, Esq. can assist you with your name change application whether you live in New York City, Nassau County of Suffolk County Long Island. Name change applications can be sought for an adult or minor child’s first or last name regardless of whether or not a divorce is occurring. Last name changes may also be done incident to divorces in which Darren can guide and assist you whether he is working as your mediator or attorney. Clients welcome Darren’s honesty, demeanor, hard work and years of experience with matrimonial and family law matters when working with this office. While couples contemplating mediation may schedule a half hour no fee consultation, people seeking the representation of a lawyer, should call for their free initial phone or office consultation.

In Long Island New York and other places outside of New York City, name change cases should be brought in the Supreme Court. New York City name change requests should be made in the New York City Civil court. The proper venue to file your case is the County in which you reside, even if you were not born in New York. Long Island Supreme Court filing fees are $210.00 while the fee is $65.00 to file in the New York City Civil Court.

This office will prepare and submit the name change petition and order you would like the judge to sign reflecting the change of name. Proof of birth, which is a birth certificate for someone born in New York, needs to be included with the application. Once a court approves the name change, notice will need to be published as directed by the judge. While name changes are usually public record with the notice displayed in a newspaper, if there are safety concerns, this office can advocate for the record to be sealed and for the publication requirement to be waived.

The Law and Mediation Office of Darren M. Shapiro, P.C. handles uncontested cases, litigation, collaborative law divorces and mediated cases. In any of these approaches, he will make sure that the proper language is in the Judgment of Divorce which allows a party to resume the use of their prior surname. We can work with you so that you can find the avenue that fits you best when tackling your matrimonial issues.

Name change applications outside of a divorce should be handled by an experienced family law attorney such as Mr. Shapiro. Darren will do his best to present compelling reasons to the court why it should grant your name change request. As is an all cases, we want to help you resolve your case efficiently and as quickly as possible. You will receive the legal advice you need to stay informed about your rights and your name change case. Our goal is to provide effective representation while keeping the associated price reasonable. Flat rates might be possible for some name change cases. Feel free to inquire whether a flat or hourly rate will work best for your situation.

Issues that a court wants to hear about, and therefore should be included in a name change application include: bankruptcies; criminal convictions; judgments; liens; maintenance and child support orders. Mr. Shapiro has a background in these areas of law. Accordingly, this office has the knowledge to advise and determine the proper disclosures to be included in the name change petition.

Parents or guardians of children can petition for name changes for their child. Proper notices need to be given to other parents and guardians among other potential people or entities of the request to change the child’s name. Darren can argue to the court that there is no reasonable basis to deny the change. We will do our best to illuminate the court why the name change is in the best interests of the child and should be granted.

The law provides for a right to for people to select their names as long as the name change is not being done for fraudulent purposes. This office has experience with name changes being done as a result of a divorce and outside of matrimonial cases. Feel free to call to discuss your name change request. It would be our pleasure to speak with you about it.