The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-10-15
# NAME DOESN'T
SUIT, Change IT
PROCESS IS EASY IN THIS STATE.
ETHER LEGALLY OR OTHER
WisE-HoW 1T IS
DONE.

II may surprise many to learn that
,hara is nothing I'm the state law
which forbids an adult person from
changing his name by the simple fact
of abandoning the use of the one which
no bore from birth and then substitu-
ting for II one which happens to suit
him or her a bit better for any reason
,ybatsoever. II IL true that the state
stotutes prescribe two methods by
which a change OF name can be ac-
couplisheu along lines which ensure
its receiving legal sanction. but there is
no provision of the law prohibiting
the other and more simple method be-
ing adopted.
The law of this state provides that
any person of adult age who desires
IN change his name must follow eth
or one of two courses-apply to the
nrobate court of the county in which
ne has resided for a year or more past
or else procure the passage of a spec
ial act OF the legislature. While there
have undoubtedly been many who
have taken advantage of the latter
method, but four during the past three
wears have employed the procedure
outlined by statute for the probate
court. The record shows that there
was one in 1908, two in 1909 and one
thus far this year.
The forms devised in conformity
with the statutory provisions for use
IN the probate court require that the
applicant must first publish motion for
three successive weeks in some paper
published in the county Of which he is
n resident, the last publication being
six weeks prior to the making of form
al application to the court. At the
expiration of that period, petition Is
filed with the court which sets forth
the applicants name and the name
which he desires to acquire. and fur
Their recites that the application is
made without intent TO defraud. In
addition the application is also detail
ed for the scrutiny Of the court.
Upon the Ming of n receipt showing
that a fee of SO. has been paid to the
county treasurer and the affidavit of
the publisher of the newspaper In
which the notice i'm which was pub
lished the notice of the applicants in
tention to seek n legal sanction to his
change of name, in case 1t is deemed
satisfactory by the court. an order is
made authorizing the desired change
which thereupon becomes Immediate
ly effective. Upon application and
with the payment of fee to the pro-
bate court. the applicant may receive
u certified cepy' of the courts order
for purposes of exhibiting to those OF
relatives or acquaintances who may be
inclined to be skeptical as to the le-
gality of his assumption of another
surname.
While the circuit courts of the
state have authority to review the
proceedings of the probate courts upon
appeal and the circuit judges fire.
quenty occupy the probate bench In
the temporary absence of the probate
Judge. the statute does not give to the
circuit courts the authority which II
vests in the probate. The only way In
which n circuit Judge may authorize
change of name is I'm the case of 6
woman who Is either the complainant
or the defendant in an action for d.
GORGE and who desires to resume thu
use of her maiden name. which sh'
bore prior to the assumption of thu
name which she acquired with thu
marriage sought to be Dissolved. II
this case an order is not permitted 4
be granted IL there are children wh'
will be affected by IL.