Legal Name Change

Hi, my name is Josef(AKA CJ Squirrel), and I am aiming to make this a legal finality. While I have gone by that name since high school, and am happily married, have 4 wonderful children, making it "official" was always on the back burner, something I could do "later." As a business owner, and primarily working from home to support the two boys I had with my wonderful wife, it wasn't something that impacted my daily life. I have always been happily confident in who I am.

However, under the new administration, and possible changes happening that impede not only my constitutional rights, but also my safety, it has become a priority. Sadly, it is no longer about just confidence in myself, but about giving my sons confidence and security, and allowing myself to pass more safely within society (even if I can't change "gender" most people will see a name and a face and move on). I have never before had anxiety handing my ID to anyone; now we try to avoid going anywhere I may be asked... the threat of violence, legal action, and even action by local, state, or federal government against us and our children has become a real thing.

We fear if we wait much longer, I won't be able to even file for a name change, so for us, it has now become a goal, sooner than later.

It will cost me roughly $800-1000(this is changed as I was able to get some clarification on county specific rules) to file and do all the necessary steps therein to file myself (initial file and document fees(about half of that), newspaper notifications, fingerprinting, court date, lien check, etc.), so this is our first goal. Regretfully, the economy has hit my business hard (and will probably close my other), and though I'm keeping my head above water, financially it's not an expense I personally have in the bank, or will have quickly.

If I am able to raise more, I will pay to have a lawyer fill out and file the paperwork (est. $600 extra), to help ensure success. Funds raised beyond that will be donated to trans support programs in high-risk areas, and the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project.