Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, had her name change publicly announced in a newspaper.
However, the step wasn’t a strategic move against her estranged father, as California-based family law expert David Glass told People Magazine that the announcement was legally unavoidable.
Glass told the outlet that Shiloh’s petition to drop “Pitt” from her last name, published in The Los Angeles Times, adheres to state regulations requiring such filings to be printed in a newspaper before the name-change process can proceed.
“In reality, it could not have been avoided,” Glass said, further explaining, “She has to file a formal petition with the court to change her name. And she has to run an ad four weeks in a row before the hearing is scheduled, in addition to giving both of her parents written notification.”
Glass emphasised that these name change petitions typically proceed without issues unless the individual has a criminal history and is attempting to evade punishment or liabilities: “I’ve never seen one opposed in court. Brad could come to court and say, for example, that Shiloh has been alienated against him by the mother. … But because she is no longer a minor, she can essentially call herself whatever she wants.”
Shiloh officially filed for the name change to become Shiloh Jolie on her 18th birthday, May 27. Under California law, the legal forms must be published in a newspaper for one month before a judge can approve the petition.