Name change of Shiloh Jolie - Therefore, she publicly announces the name Pitt
After several media outlets reported that Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (18), the daughter of Angelina Jolie (49) and Brad Pitt (60), wanted to drop her mother's last name, her attorney has spoken out against "People" magazine regarding her decision and proceedings. Previously, TMZ, a US celebrity gossip portal, reported that Shiloh had placed an announcement in a major newspaper to indicate that she no longer wanted to bear the Pitt surname.
Attorney explains Shiloh's actions
Shiloh, who has carried both of her famous parents' last names since birth, filed for name change on May 27 - her 18th birthday. The change was made public with a legal notice in the "Los Angeles Times" soon after. Now, her attorney Peter Levine has explained why his client took such action.
In his statement, he also addressed the reporting media: "The media should be more cautious in their reporting - especially when reporting on a young adult who has made an independent and significant decision following a painful experience and is merely following a legal procedure," the lawyer said.
He also clarified: "Shiloh Jolie-Pitt did not file a notice of name change announcement as reported in all press reports. All press reports stating this are incorrect." As her attorney, he was obligated to make a legal notice public. This is required by California law for anyone seeking a name change. "This legal notice, as required, was published in the 'Los Angeles Times.'"
A family law attorney had previously explained the process of a name change under California law to "People": "She must file a formal petition at court to change her name. And she must publish an advertisement for four weeks consecutively before the hearing is set, as well as notify both parents in writing."
Complex relationships since their parents' separation
Brad Pitt is reportedly still embroiled in a divorce proceeding with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. A source close to the situation told "People" magazine in early June that Pitt was "informed and upset" about Shiloh's name change petition.
Pitt and Jolie have a total of six children together: Maddox (22), Zahara (19), and Pax (20) were adopted. Shiloh and the twins Knox and Vivienne (16) are their biological children. Jolie and Pitt met while filming "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" in 2005 and fell in love. After their engagement in 2012, the couple married in 2014 in France. In September 2016, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce. To this day, there are ongoing legal disputes, such as over a formerly shared vineyard in the South of France.
- Despite Brad Pitt's involvement in an ongoing divorce proceeding with Angelina Jolie, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, their daughter, filed for a name change on her 18th birthday, which was made public through a legal notice in the "Los Angeles Times".
- Contrary to media reports, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt did not file a notice of name change announcement herself, but her attorney Peter Levine was obligated to make a legal notice public as per California law for anyone seeking a name change.
- Addressing the media, attorney Peter Levine urged for caution in reporting, highlighting Shiloh's independent decision following a challenging experience and her adherence to legal procedures.
- Brad Pitt, known by his surname Pitt, was reportedly informed and upset about his daughter Shiloh's name change petition, adding complexity to the relationships within the family, which have been strained since Angelina Jolie's divorce filing in 2016.
