I got the money to do my name change!

[Freida]

I have a protective order against him, and that he's threatened to kill me in the past?

yes. this is not the time for euphemisms. The judge needs to know you are in danger. Be blunt.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

@Sweetleaf If you have any records like police reports, protection orders, letter from therapist of necessity to seal records, etc. you should specify you have records to support the request on the form, you should bring them to court with you and offer them to the judge if needed at the appropriate time. Judges very much like it when the people before them are organized, and have what they need when it is asked for. In a name change matter that little bit goes a long way when it comes to the judges first impression of the character of the petitioner before them.

Judges for the most part are pretty accommodating unless you irritate them, word of advice from someone who has prosecuted a couple of civil case of my own, don't talk out of place (unprompted), wait for judge to ask questions, answer as the judge asks them. Judges like to be in control of the dialog, and get irritated when the person before them is trying to direct the dialog. Believe it or not that dynamic can wreck your changes a lot.

I did my own name change petition and order, and at the time had a past arrest (over 10 years ago at the time), and I still got my order, honesty goes a long way, the model format at the time had a line stating petitioner has had no prior arrest, my petition replaced that line to say I have not been in trouble for over 10 years. my name change was not for protection purposes, and at the time had a higher chance of non approval than it would in a case of protection.

 

[Muttly]

That's fantastic. I think it's a big deal and am very happy for you.

 

[420kitty]

I knew I should've held on to my Pokémon cards! Congrats and hopefully the relief comes with it.

 

[Fadeaway]

Congrats. You inspired me to talk to a judge about it. I got a good idea of what the judge wanted to hear regarding not publishing my name change.