In the Matter of the Petition of S.M.-B., A Minor for Change of Name By and Through Monica Lee McKay, Natural Mother…

Summary

The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal without prejudice of a minor's petition to change her legal name as part of a gender transition. It held that a chancellor has discretion to deny even an uncontested minor-name-change petition unless the change is clearly in the child's best interest, and that the chancellor could reasonably determine that the minor should mature before deciding. The court also held that no fixed multi-factor test governed the best-interest inquiry.