HELP’S AT HAND

HELP’S AT Hand, by North
Shore Community Services
(NSCS), is a forum for discussing
government policies and pro-
grams, benefits, consumer and
legal rights, taxation and public
services.

Answers are intended only as a
general guide and should not be
applied to individual cases without
further consultation.

Question: I am a_ divorced
womans with custody of my three
children and we still use my ex-
husband’s surname. He hardly
ever sees the kids and we have
been apart for so long that it
seems strange to still have his
name.

We have been living with my
common-law partner for over
three years now. I would like to
change my own and my children’s
names to my maiden name. How
do I go about doing this and will I
need my ex-husband’s consent?

Answer: In an Application for
Change of Name under the B.C.
Name Act, changing the name of
a child under the age of 19 years
requires the consent of the other
parent.

If your ex-husband is not in
agreement you can request a
waiver of consent — that the
name changes be granted without
his permission.

This is not a guaranteed solu-
tion, but it could be granted
depending on the circumstances.

You might want to document
financial support provided, in-
clude copies of restraining orders
that may have been issued, and so

in.

The point is to show the quality
of relations that your ex-husband
has with the children and to ex-
press‘your reasons for having their
names changed.

The Division of Vital Statistics
can offer you more specific in-
formation about this procedure.
Their focal phone number is
660-1268 and the office is in room
109 of the North Vancouver Pro-
vincial Courthouse, 200 East 23rd
St. in North Vancouver. You can
reach them by calling 660-1268,
or by dialing their toll-free
number which is 1-800-742-6233.

You do have a second option
that is easier and jess costty. In
B.C. a woman can simply assume
her maiden name after divorce.

It will be acceptable in almost
all situations except for things
such as previously held land titles
and Canada Pension Plan
benefits.

To have your maiden name
formally recognized in all trans-
actions, you can apply for an
order for restoration of maiden
name.

There is no time limit after
divorce on the apptication and it
will cost approximately $45 for
your name change and $30 for all
children.

Their father’s consent will also
be required in this situation,
unless you can provide sufficient
evidence to warrant the name
changes without it.

To apply and for more infor-
mation, contact the divorce regis-
try at 660-2843.

If changing your children's
names sounds like more trouble
than it is worth to you, remember
that when they are over the age of
19 years they can make name
change applications through Vital
Statistics as adults without paren-
tal consent.

This column is prepared with
financial assistance from the
Notary Foundation. For more in-
formation call NSCS at 985-7138.

Learn about puppetry

THE NORTH Shore’s best-
known puppeteer, Marjorie
-Woods, will be conducting
another round of puppetry and
storytelling workshops for parents
and teachers of young children.

The Tuesday workshops will be
held on March 10 and April 7 at
. Highiands United Church in
North Vancouver,

In the three-hour classes, par-
ticipants vill learn how to make
basic puppets and how to use
them to engage youngsters in
Storytelling and free play.

Workshop-gocrs will also be
taught how puppetry can be used
to help children Jearn basic con-

HIGH YIELD

cepts, overcome such problems as
shyness, learn to cope with new
situations (eg. first trip to the
dentist), and how to deal with
bullying and teasing.

Woods has been a puppeteer for
more than !5 years. She has
taught at the Vancouver School
Board, the University of 3.C. and
performed at Expo °86 and at the
1991 B.C. Festival of the Arts.

The workshops, which cost $15,
are from 7-10 p.m. Pre-paid reg-
istration is necessary.

Woods can also tailor a class to
the requirements of a group. For
information and _ registration,
phone 987-3725.

- NEW ISSUE

To find out more abour

SID ENERGY INC’S

12.00% 2 YR. DEBENTURE UNITS

CALL STEPHEN FOWLER
LEVESQUE SECURITIES INC.
700-510 Bacrard St. Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3A8
(6043 643-2800
OR
BUD MALETTE
L.O.M. WESTERN SECURITIES LTD.
2200-609 Granville St. Vancouver, B.C. V7Y 1H2
(604) 643-7512

This advertisement is noe to be construed as 4 public offering
in any Province of Canada other than British Columbia.
The offerirg is made by Starement of Maternal Facts onty and copies
thereut may be obatned from the sbove dealer and other
dealers who teay lawfully offer the securities in British Columbia.

TIME FOR A
“SPEEDY”
RECOVERY!

OUR BEST MUFFLER

S$ 99 *
3 installed
During February only
* Most cars & light trucks. One per vehicle, not
valid with any other coupon. Ctamps,-.

hangers & pipes extra

Also enquire about our:

SHOCK SALE ~“Syencan,
BUY 3 GET 1 FREE!

HOURS: MON.-FRI. 8am-6pm, SATURDAYS 8am-4p

1910 Marine Dr. 986-3461

{One block east of Capilano Road on the north side}

ae

Watch for

our special
Duck Race
section Friday,
Feb. 21 in
your North
Shore News

Over
$57,000
in prizes!

Available now at Lynn Valiey Centre,
Capilano Mail, Park Royal, Lonsdale Quay and
ali North Shore Credit Union offices

od woes Oe Rutt am weneruasvete

t.
¢3 Overwaitea

SAVE-ON-FOODS

PITCH-IN|
AND
RECYCLE