I got the money to do my name change!

[Sweetleaf]

Yaaay!

Maybe it doesn't seem like that big of a deal to y'all but, despite the fact that I can't work, I managed to get the money to pay for my name change, and then some :D

I sold some of my pokemon cards. You never know how much the things you held onto from your childhood will be worth. I'm happy that kid-me was smart enough to put them all in protective covers so they're all basically 100% mint condition.

They are still going through all the cards I had, but I've already gotten well over what I need for the name change, which I want because I want to make it harder for my abuser to find me. I will likely be allowed to have the records sealed, so there will be no connection between the new name and the old name, at least as far as the general public is concerned.

Also, I just outright -love- the name, and I get to get rid of my father's last name. He sexually abused me as a kid. While it's a benefit he won't be able to find me either, it's not that big of a deal to me in that I've had no contact with him for like 9 years. Still, it's going to be nice to do something to help evade my abuser, -and- get rid of my shitty father's last name.

Yaaay! First post in this section and it feels good.

 

[somerandomguy]

Congratulations @Sweetleaf!

 

[Fadeaway]

So happy for you. I long to do this myself. Anxious to hear about how it goes.

 

[Sweetleaf]

Anxious to hear about how it goes.

I'll update when I get the ball rolling. I know it will take some time after I turn in the paperwork and pay the fee, before the time where I actually go and see a judge and have it all done. Then, more wait time before it takes effect. Long process, but at least now I can start it.

I am not very worried myself. Just glad that I get to just get it done at last.

 

[bellbird]

This is excellent news! (and yay for pokemon cards :))

 

[Freida]

Im so excited for you!! YEAH!!!:woot::woot:

 

[littleoc]

This is great! Who knew Pokémon would continue protecting the trainer way after their childhood? :P

 

[Sweetleaf]

Who knew Pokémon would continue protecting the trainer way after their childhood?

Haha that's a great way to put it!

It's a relief to know I don't have to force myself to work to get this done.

 

[littleoc]

It's a relief to know I don't have to force myself to work to get this done.

Yes, it is! And it's still an accomplishment because you got it done, or the steps to it so far! :D

 

[Still Standing]

How cool is it that you get to name yourself ! I like this idea. You will be able to redefine yourself, if you want. There will be no baggage with your new identity. No history, if you choose it to be so...a new start. Congrats!

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

specify to the judge your changing your name to protect your self from past abuser(s), so you can ask him to seal the records.

 

[Sweetleaf]

@recoveringfromptsd There is a form specifically for requesting that the records be sealed, and on it I was going to write something along those lines on it. Not sure what exactly to write though.
Here's the wording on the form:

I am the petitioner in this case. I ask to be excused from having to post my change of name request on the (state) Court System’s legal notice website because of the following personal safety concerns:

Should I include in the statement that I have a protective order against him, and that he's threatened to kill me in the past? Or just say something like "protection from past abuser" and keep it simple? I imagine I can go into the details in person when I see a judge.

Also, it has just check boxes for "I want to have the records sealed" and "I want to have my name removed from the court's index and replaced with a pseudonym" (paraphrasing) which I of course am going to check.