Name Change

Change of name may be considered for many reasons. It is legal to assume use of a name, as long as your intention is not to defraud anybody.

In Family matters the Court will consider whether the name change is contrary to the best interest of the child, as well as whether it would have a negative impact on the welfare of the child.

Other considerations would be the short and long term effects of any change in the child's last name, any embarrassment likely to be experienced by the child if its name is different from that of the parent who has day to day care, any confusion of identity which may arise for the child if his or her name is changed or is not changed, the effect which any change in the child's last name may have on the relationship between the child and the parent whose name the child had during the marriage and the contact that the father of the children has or is likely to have in the future with the children.

We can provide additional, more specialised advice on all of the above when you contact our offices.