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Hi, I have been looking through Google at the prospect of changing my name. Some say if you have a criminal record you do not need to inform the police, others state that you do.
Here is my situation and background. I Had a really, really, really bad divorce. I got custody of the children. That was many years ago. But, all the time the ex wife and family never ever, gave up on getting "revenge". I was physically attacked several times and on one occasion was hospitalised and nearly lost my life. Aggravation in one form or another from them, is a constant situation. After the kids grew up and left home I found a nice family hotel abroad, and holidayed there whenever I could. I genuinely felt safer there than in the uk and was away from all the constant aggravation. Amongst other disabilities, have severe mental health issues and I take antipsychotic medication. Now I have just had a interview under caution from the DWP about benefit fraud. In the next few weeks a decision will be made as to whether I will be subject to a civil penalty or prosecution through the courts. For years I would go on holiday, but on occasions I stayed too long. My disabilty benefit allowed me to stay for up to 91 days. My ESA only 28 days. I never ever realised this. I do take a lot of medication. Hence the overpayment for failing to inform a change of circumstances.
If I have to go through the court system, apart from the extreme embarrasment and mental health issues it will cause me, it will only embolden the ex wife and family to be more aggressive and to "up the ante" so to speak, and they would plaster it all over Facebook, the internet etc, and they would never stop doing it. Believe me! They are the family from hell!
I do have a criminal record. Last time I was in trouble was about 28 years ago.
So, this is the reason I am thinking of changing my name, so they will not know it is me when it gets printed in the " In court today" section of the local newspaper, if I have to go to court.
But, when do I change my name?
If I do it now, it might cause me problems with the DWP as a decision has not yet been made, and they may wonder why I am doing it, and it may prolong or effect there decision.
Do I change my name after the decision by DWP, or before?
Will the police and courts accept and use my new name in court proceedings?
So many variables.
It may be that I get a civil penalty and therefore I would not need to change my name.
But if I wait, and the decision is one of prosecution, and I then decide to change my name, would it be to late? Would the courts and police decide to use my old name?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Also I am thinking that if it is done by a solicitor, it would be more official, and that if I had a problem with the courts or police deciding not to use my new name in court proceedings, then the solicitors could act for me in relation to that.
If that situation did occur, I accept that I would have to pay additionally for extra services.
So, my change of name not so straight forward I think.
I do intend to keep my new name by the way.
All advice and recommended solicitors warmly welcomed.
Here is my situation and background. I Had a really, really, really bad divorce. I got custody of the children. That was many years ago. But, all the time the ex wife and family never ever, gave up on getting "revenge". I was physically attacked several times and on one occasion was hospitalised and nearly lost my life. Aggravation in one form or another from them, is a constant situation. After the kids grew up and left home I found a nice family hotel abroad, and holidayed there whenever I could. I genuinely felt safer there than in the uk and was away from all the constant aggravation. Amongst other disabilities, have severe mental health issues and I take antipsychotic medication. Now I have just had a interview under caution from the DWP about benefit fraud. In the next few weeks a decision will be made as to whether I will be subject to a civil penalty or prosecution through the courts. For years I would go on holiday, but on occasions I stayed too long. My disabilty benefit allowed me to stay for up to 91 days. My ESA only 28 days. I never ever realised this. I do take a lot of medication. Hence the overpayment for failing to inform a change of circumstances.
If I have to go through the court system, apart from the extreme embarrasment and mental health issues it will cause me, it will only embolden the ex wife and family to be more aggressive and to "up the ante" so to speak, and they would plaster it all over Facebook, the internet etc, and they would never stop doing it. Believe me! They are the family from hell!
I do have a criminal record. Last time I was in trouble was about 28 years ago.
So, this is the reason I am thinking of changing my name, so they will not know it is me when it gets printed in the " In court today" section of the local newspaper, if I have to go to court.
But, when do I change my name?
If I do it now, it might cause me problems with the DWP as a decision has not yet been made, and they may wonder why I am doing it, and it may prolong or effect there decision.
Do I change my name after the decision by DWP, or before?
Will the police and courts accept and use my new name in court proceedings?
So many variables.
It may be that I get a civil penalty and therefore I would not need to change my name.
But if I wait, and the decision is one of prosecution, and I then decide to change my name, would it be to late? Would the courts and police decide to use my old name?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Also I am thinking that if it is done by a solicitor, it would be more official, and that if I had a problem with the courts or police deciding not to use my new name in court proceedings, then the solicitors could act for me in relation to that.
If that situation did occur, I accept that I would have to pay additionally for extra services.
So, my change of name not so straight forward I think.
I do intend to keep my new name by the way.
All advice and recommended solicitors warmly welcomed.
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