Obscure Legal Services Offered By Lawyers (Part 2)

• Published date: 04 March 2022
• Subject Matter: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration, Law Department Performance, Class Actions, Trials & Appeals & Compensation, Performance, Management
• Law Firm: ChimwaMurombe Legal Practice
• Author: Mr Fungai Chimwamurombe and Takunda Mark Gombiro

In the first part of this series the author introduced some of the legal services offered by lawyers but are little known. In the effort to continue the civic duty to inform the public of services of convenience, more uncommon legal services are developed in this article.

1. ADMINISTRATION OF DECEASED ESTATES

Death brings with it unenviable circumstances that usually tear up families as a result of greed and opportunism. When someone passes on and leaves behind wealth or assets of value, those items become the subject of determined interest especially when the person dies without a will. The administration of deceased estates is a legal process that requires a professional, neutral and humane approach to try and achieve a fair distribution of the assets of the deceased. The process also involves the recognition of valid claims against the deceased which should be considered by the appointed person to administer the estate. The level of impartiality required to discharge the mandate of administering a deceased estate will see it prudent that a professional attend to the task. Lawyers are suitable candidates for that process by virtue of the professional impartiality, knowledge of the law and their training to effectively manage divisive/divided families.

2. CHANGE OF NAME

Have you have wondered whether it was possible to change any portion of your name or you may have thought that you have no choice but to stick to the name on your birth certificate? The answer is that a name change is very much possible and lawyers, specifically those registered as Notary Publics are the only professionals who can carry out such process. The process of a change of name takes place through the preparation of a notarial deed of change of name prepared by the specially skilled lawyers. The proposed new name is also advertised in the public media for informing the public and calling for objections. You can change your name to any name you so desire, provided the name is not morally offensive, receives a valid objection from any member of the public and the intention to change your name is not meant to be deceitful and fraudulent in the pursuance of a criminal motive. Certain names given to us by parents and relatives result in low self-esteem, ridicule from peers, religious intolerance and all these may lead to mental health issues. In the exercise of the freedoms given to us by the constitution, the ability to change one's name is a recognized right which most people are not...