Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Debating appropriate use of Name Change

The Judge granted me permission to go from Jane Doe to Jane Jones at the time of the divorce. However, I wanted Jane

Doe-Jones. His paperwork came back to me with my maiden name only.

I am using Jane Doe Jones without the hyphen. My ex is threatening to take me to court over it. Can't I use any middle name I want?


Asked on 9/09/02, 7:33 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Pransky Law Office of Alan J. Pransky

Re: Debating appropriate use of Name Change

"[A]t common law a person may change his name at will, without resort

to legal proceedings, by merely adopting another name, provided that this

is done for an honest purpose." Merolevitz, petitioner, 320 Mass. 448,

450 (1946), and cases cited. Secretary of the Commonwealth v. City Clerk

of Lowell, 373 Mass. 178, 183 (1977)

VERRILL, 40 Mass. App. Ct. 34 (1996)

660 N.E.2d 697

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Answered on 9/09/02, 7:46 pm


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