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Judge grants several name changes, resets one hearing so jailed father can be heard
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Summary
During a Dixon County court session, the judge granted multiple individual and a joint name-change petition and reset a separate petition after learning the father objecting to the change is in custody; the court ordered service and set a new hearing date so the father can testify by transport or Zoom.
A judge in the Dixon County courtroom granted multiple name-change petitions and delayed another to ensure a jailed parent could participate.
The court told a petitioner seeking to change her child’s surname that the child's father, Joseph Launell Bly, has contacted the clerk and is opposing the petition. Because Bly is in custody and has a pending case, the judge said the court must give him an opportunity to be heard and ordered the petition reset so Bly could either testify via a Zoom link or be transported to court; the judge instructed the petitioner to serve him with a copy of the petition and set a new date in April for the matter to be heard. The judge said, “Anyone who is in custody that it has a pending case must be given an opportunity to be heard on this issue,” and explicitly directed notice to the jail.
The court also signed and granted an individual petition filed by Amanda Rae Cunningham. After swearing her in, the judge asked statutorily required questions — whether the change was to avoid debts or prosecution — and, finding no improper purpose, said there was good cause and told her she could obtain a copy of the signed order from the clerk.
Another petitioner, Miss Lena Hopwood, likewise answered the court’s screening questions and the judge granted her request to change her name to Lenny Alice Hopwood, instructing her to sign the order so the record clearly shows she requested the change.
Separately, the court granted a jointly filed petition to change a minor child’s name after both biological parents agreed. The judge noted the name change does not alter other parental rights and explained that parental rights would only be changed by termination or other legal proceedings.
The judge’s directions focused on ensuring proper service and due process for affected parents and on signing ministerial orders so petitioners could collect certified copies from the clerk’s office.
