It’s official. A judge approved Maddox Jolie-Pitt’s name change request on Monday, September 14, legally changing his name to Maddox Chivan Jolie. According to court documents, no objections were filed, making this a clean and straightforward approval.
What makes the timing notable is that Maddox, 24, already dropped Pitt’s surname professionally back in February. He appeared in the credits of the film Couture as an assistant director with the shorter name, so this legal step just made things permanent. He’s now the latest of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children to move away from their father’s surname. Shiloh was the first to legally drop Pitt after turning 18, and Zahara and Vivienne have also filed requests, though neither has been finalized yet.
For anyone curious about the mechanics, a family law specialist explained that the process for an adult is fairly simple. You just need a formal court order to change your name. The legal side is easy. The family dynamics are the complicated part, and a source close to the situation says Brad feels hurt that his children don’t want a public association with his last name.
What do you think: should a name change like this stay a private family matter, or is it fair for the public to weigh in?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.