Hi Mindy, glad to hear of your name change.
While I do not have experience in FL can offer some general advice on this going pro se.
1. ask 5-10 attorneys by phone cost of doing the process, judges/courts are picky about accuracy and many forms and so on and can thought out your name change based on your reasons or errors.
2. By discharged, you mean the chapter 7/13 process completed and approved by trustte then bankrutcy court. While the state you live in determines your exemptions, bankruptcy court is a federal court. So I am guessing your are ~4 years out from complete filing and either on CH 13 repayment or CH 7 debt discharge. In any case as your start the process of name change, send your trusstee a letter of your intention to change your name, that you will notify her/him of completion and then ask what they need to be sure. The attempt of fraud is a big red flag for them so tletting them know up front is a good thing.
3. You need to go get current fingerprints, usually the local sherrifs or state police office, depends.
Needed for name change forms
4. Link below to FL Supreme Court forms and instructions for name change. Print pages you need. BUT call your county circuit court and ask, 'Is this where I file for change of name? " Can I stop by and get the most current forms.... most people assume there is consistency between courts in a county, state, nation. Whiles citizens and lawyers have to adhere to letter of law, the courts may vary on judicial decision, forms, rules.. this is true of federal courts too. more follows
