Legal Name Change in Nebraska

Legally changing one’s name falls into the category of family law. It is not a terribly difficult task, but sometimes you just want the assurance that your name change is done without any worry. That’s where I come in. I am a legal name change attorney here in the Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska area.

Probably the two most famous legal name changes come from the sports world. Lew Alcindor became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Basketball Hall of Famer who holds the career record for most points scored) and Cassius Clay became 3 time Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali.

Any adult individual can petition the court to have his/her name legally changed as long as the change isn’t fraudulent and isn’t intended to hide from creditors.

A parent or guardian can petition the court to have their minor child’s name legally changed. A court will normally grant a request if the requested change is not improper or fraudulent, isn’t intended to hide from creditors and is in the child’s best interest.

A minor child’s name change request can get litigious if the other parent opposes the name change. This could result in a trial to determine whether the name change would be best for the child.

A normal name change request begins with a petition filed with the Nebraska District Court for the county in which you reside. The petition will state the reason for the name change and the requested name. Your Nebraska Legal Name Change attorney will then set the case for a final hearing and subsequently publish a notice in the local newspaper for several weeks. Once the notice has been published in the newspaper, an affidavit will be filed with the court asserting that proper publication was made as required under the Nebraska legal name change statute. Finally, you will be required to attend a final hearing where you will give short testimony affirming your legal name change request. The judge, if satisfied, will sign a decree, or order, that grants the legal name change. At that point, your name is changed. You can purchase certified copies of the decree to use in having your name changed on documents such as your driver’s license and social security card.

Cost of a Legal Name Change in Nebraska

Caldwell Law charges a flat fee rate. We do not charge by the hour.

• Adult-$1,300.00 (includes the filing fee, publication costs, and attorney fees.)**
• Minor Child (Uncontested*)-$1,500.00 (includes filing fee, publication costs, mailing costs, and attorney fees.)**
• Minor Child (Contested)-$2,000.00 (includes filing fee, publication costs, mailing costs, and attorney fees.)**
• Limited Scope Representation-$1000.00 (I will draft and file all documents, includes the filing fee, publication costs, mailing costs, scheduling the final hearing, and preparing you for the final hearing. You would represent yourself at the final hearing. I will not attend the final hearing. This is a good option that helps save money on transportation costs. It is not advised if the name change will be contested.)

* An uncontested name change case is one in which the non-custodial parent does not sign a consent to name change affidavit or plans to litigate the name change by appearing for the final hearing.

**Transportation costs are an additional fee and are dependent on your location.

You should contact Caldwell Law if you would like to pursue a legal name change for yourself or your child. We promise to provide you with compassionate legal care.