Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Today I legally became Cassandra Anna Hefton. I was nervous as heck as the Superior court docket was double booked. First I had to stand up and acknowledge my prescence during docket call then had to answer a question from the judge from across the room. Since my old name was the one used for the docket I had to answer to that name. That was the last time I will ever have to answer to that name. It did get a lot of puzzled looks in the courtroom gallery as I don't think many of them realised anything different about me until I had to stand up and answer to that name.

In our court you stand at a podium before approaching the bench. First the Judge said "your going to have to help me here, how do I address you? I said Ms would be fine. He asked for my affidavit of publication and my decree. Swore me in and asked some basic questions to verify the information provided. That was it. I will be able to pick up the decree in a couple of days but it's done. WOW! I'm floating on air. Went to the grocery store and it just felt different knowing my name is what it should be. Can't wait to get started on all the doc changes.

Cassie

Congratulations, Cassandra!

Dennis

Congratulations Cassandra on your desired name becoming official

I am sure that the name change will be so much easier for you and I wish you all the best.

Just wish I could be as close to a name change as you are

Regards

Denise

Congratulations!!!

Yahoo mountain dew,

I'm so happy for you Cassie, I know exactly how you feel  :)  Now the fun begins, changing your name everywhere.  It's pretty good really, well it was for me  :)

Did you celebrate or anything.

Chat later.

Steph

QuoteYahoo mountain dew

That was unique Steph....  but I'm gonna go for 80's nostalgia here (unless maybe the 80's borrowed it from another era?)


Goody-goody gumdrops !!!   :D :D :D :D :D 

I am way totally hap-hap happy for you Cassie!!!  You will have been fully initiated in your 'new' name when someone close to you is angry with you and indignantly calls after you using ALL 3 NAMES....[that's also when you know you're in for it, so you better be high-tailin' it, too!  ;D]

Way to go Cass....

XOXO,
Valerie

Cassandra,

Congratulations!!!!!!

Chaunte

Thank you all for your congratulations. Yes Steph I did celebrate. My wife and I came home and have raised many glasses of wine. The weather turned pretty nasty here over the afternoon and there was the threat of an ice storm so we decided to just celebrate at home which was fine. I really wanted to get my drivers license changed before going anyplace I might have to pull it out.  ;D

I had planned on going straight to the DMV. I was a little dissappointed I have to wait a couple of days to get the decree but that will probably be better anyway as a couple of our girlfriends are hot to give me a makeover so maybe that can happen before I get my new DL. The list of post name change tasks in the Wiki will come in handy. It's a nice checklist.

80's Val? Could be that old. I think Shirley Temple popularized it first.

I'm really looking forward to the tasks ahead. It is like saying goodbye to the old and hello to the new. What a great time of year to get this done. I've been counting down the days to today's court date. When the judge called my old name my heart was pounding as I stood up. I had thought it was going to be one of those judges chambers deals or maybe only a couple of people in the court. I wasn't expecting a packed house. The community here has been so accepting that it was as if a group of friends had gathered to witness my event. There were even some in the waiting area outside the courtroom who offered their congratulations as I exited the courtroom.

My wife had come with me but she had to stay outside the courtroom because of the double docket. As she waited she talked with some people who were their to lend moral support to loved ones in the court. Gosh their were a lot of divorces. The judge had gone through several divorce cases and my case was at the bottom of the docket. After five divorce cases he skipped to my pettition. I guess he felt like doing something happy as a kind of break from the other stuff. He was a really nice guy and made me feel very at ease. Every one was just wonderful.

I guess I've rambled on about enough. Thanks again everyone for your congratulations. It is indeed a memorable day. One of those ups on the rollercoaster ride we call transition.

Hugs,

Cassie

Nice! Congratz Cass

QuoteI guess I've rambled on about enough.

Oh, no, dear Cass...you've earned the right to ramble with this milestone.... ;D 

Congratulations  :D  I remember the euphoria I felt when I did mine, I am very happy for you.  You have a beautiful name by the way.
Kristina

QuoteIn our court you stand at a podium before approaching the bench. First the Judge said "your going to have to help me here, how do I address you? I said Ms would be fine. He asked for my affidavit of publication and my decree. Swore me in and asked some basic questions to verify the information provided. That was it. I will be able to pick up the decree in a couple of days but it's done. WOW! I'm floating on air. Went to the grocery store and it just felt different knowing my name is what it should be. Can't wait to get started on all the doc changes.

Hey there Cassie,

You folks sure know how to do things in style, my name change can in the mail :)

Steph

Congrats Cass!

I can't believe you have to stand up in open court to do this - how PRIMATIVE!

I changed most all of my I.D. immediately post-op with a letter from the surgeon - no fuss - under British Common Law a person can go by any name they choose. When I had to have a legal name change to get a revised Birth Certificate in order to get a Canadian Passport, it was simply a matter of filling out some forms - no publication, didn't even have to appear before a judge -  like Steph, it came in the mail.

Congratuations!!!

~Kristina~

:angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel:

QuoteI can't believe you have to stand up in open court to do this - how PRIMATIVE!

It came as a surprise to me. I thought it would be more of a private affair in the judges chambers or something. I'm just lucky I live in a very accepting community. A lot has changed since 9/11. Bushies Patriot Act has thrown simple matters in the public view as a method of combating terroisim. Seems to me the only thing being attacked is a persons right to privacy. Looks to me like the terroists won.

Cassie

Congratulations Cassie,

Another step forward and I raise my Chardonnay to you. I must say though you have always been Cassie to me and I can't imagine you as anything but the lady that you are.

Shelley

Congrats, Cassandra!

From reading your post, I take it that your wife is entirely supportive of your transitioning?  Great!

Hugs!