Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Name Change Denied (while courts closed)

A request for a name change was denied while courts were closed due to Hurricane Ike.

The person who requested the change was told the judge was angered by them. Odd

because they never met the judge, and name chosen wasn't anything obscene or confusing.

Feeling the matter was too complicated, they obtained a lawyer. Upon calling the court to

obtain general information, they were hung up on after mentioning having a lawyer.

An appeal has been filed, but the person is skeptical about the chances of the case being

reinstated.

1) Can courts make rulings while closed?

2) If the judge has mistaken the person requesting the change for a personal acquaintance

(the current name is somewhat common), and is making the decision based of personal

relationships, can something be done?

3) Isn't changing your name at will one's constitutional right?


Asked on 10/10/08, 4:45 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: Name Change Denied (while courts closed)

Well, it's not a constitutional right, but as long as you're going to all the effort, report the judge for their behaviour of making decisions without any legal or factual basis.

You could dismiss in this court, and file in another court. Good Luck.

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Answered on 10/10/08, 4:53 pm
Patricia F. Bushman BUSHMAN LAW OFFICES

Re: Name Change Denied (while courts closed)

Something here doesn't sound right. If you/the person has hired an attorney, it should be the attorney or their office making the calls to the Court, not you/the person. Having been hired to clean up botched name changes that people have tried to do without an attorney, odds are you/the person did something wrong or didn't do something required by statute and that is the reason for the denial.

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Answered on 10/10/08, 5:12 pm


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