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A case known as Sacklow v. Betts appeared in the Superior Court of New Jersey on March 17, 2017. The issue at hand was that a minor who was transgender requested a name change to suit her gender.
The sixteen year old transgender youth wished to be have their name changed from Veronica Betts to Trevor Adam Betts to suit their gender more properly. The court decided that the best interest of the child should govern the court’s decision, but there are several factors in determining if a name change is in the child’s best interest:
- The age of the child;
- The length of time the child has used the preferred name;
- Any potential anxiety, embarrassment, or discomfort that may result from the child having a name he or she does believes does not match their outward appearance or gender identity;
- The history of any medical or mental health counseling the child has received;
- The name the child is known by his or her family; and community;
- The child’s preference and motivations for seeking the name changes;
- Whether both parents consent to the name change, and if consent is not given the reason for withholding consent.
- The length of time the child has used the given surname;
- The identification of the child with a particular family unit;
- Potential anxiety, embarrassment or discomfort that may result from having a different surname from that of the custodial parent;
- The child’s preference if the child is mature enough to express a preference;
- Parental misconduct or neglect, such as failure to provide support or maintain contact with the child;
- Degree of community respect, or lack thereof, associated with either paternal or maternal name;
- Improper motivation on the part of the parent seeking the name change;
- Whether the mother has changed or intends to change her name upon remarriage;
- Whether the child has a strong relationship with any siblings with different names;
- Whether the surname has important ties to family heritage or ethnic identity; and
- The effect of a name change on the relationship between the child and each parent.
The following two tabs change content below.
Administrator
Latest posts by Administrator (see all)
- Rooney Named 2019 “Top Attorney” By SJ Magazine - August 1, 2019
- DeMichele Named “Top DWI Attorney” By SJ Magazine - August 2, 2018
- Matt Rooney Named “Top Divorce & Family Attorney” by SJ Magazine - August 2, 2018