Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

Re: name

Your last name is your legal surname. If you arbitrarily change this surname on your own by adding something additional to it, then,(in my opinion) you have changed your name without proper authorization, meaning an order from the circuit court of your city/county of residence.

During the course of my legal career, I've heard this phrase "I've been told" too many times to recall. However, one thing that I do recall is that virtually none of these supposedly authoritative "I've been told" pronouncements that I've had occasion to encounter has ever proved to be correct or accurate.

Re: name

I agree with Mr. Henderson. I think the problem would come if you essentially deceive someone as to your correct identity.

For example, can you write a book and use a false name as the author, a pseudonym? Of course. You can call yourself anything you want. My sister had a stage name in the theatre.

But when you enter into any financial transaction or legal action, or deal with the government, if you hide your true identity (that won't be your intention, but that is what someone could say as an accusation) or confuse people as to whom they are dealing with, then you could get into legal trouble. For example if you enter into a contract or credit card under the unofficial name, and don't pay, then they could say you deceived and defrauded them as to your true identity, making it difficult for them to collect the money you owe them. That could even get into some serious consequences, maybe even criminal. I'm not sure.

It is not so hard to get a legal name change from a court, and you should consider that.