this is really cool but simulating an attorney or legal assistant in this manner can run into unauthorized practice of law problems, especially if you are telling people which forms they need to file. i see you have a legal consultant which is great, but you really ought to run this past another attorney because as an attorney this is raising a lot of red flags, and i'd like to see this game stick around/not get anyone in trouble
Hello irenik, I am the Game Director of Name Change Simulator.
First and foremost, I appreciate the concern!
Our team made this free-to-play game as a way to ease the process of filling out forms and to provide publicly available knowledge. In our in-game disclaimer and Terms of Use (found in our project directory), we make sure to note that we are not legal professionals and that we are not providing legal advice. In a nut shell, Name Change Simulator isn't anything more than a themed PDF auto-filling tool. We simply aggregated publicly available PDFs and filing information for each state into a single source so that players don't need to seek out these forms and information themselves. If you have any questions or would like to assist as a volunteer for our work, please feel free to contact me via my links in the Credits page.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I really appreciate the work you're doing to support trans people—especially in the states you're covering. I know how hard it is to navigate this kind of paperwork without guidance.
That said, I want to gently but clearly emphasize that this isn’t just a concern about general disclaimers. The current structure of the game—especially the inclusion of a character who says she’s an “attorney at law,”/purports to have expertise, the jurisdiction-specific form logic, and the auto-filling of ready-to-file legal documents—could constitute unauthorized practice of law in multiple states, regardless of your intent or free-to-play model.
UPL is about function and perception, and this game currently performs tasks (e.g., customized legal document prep, form selection) that are legally restricted to licensed professionals. The risk is heightened when users are pro se and relying on the your tool to get it right. Filing incorrect forms, filing forms in the wrong venue, or failing to meet notice requirements can result in rejected filings, delays, loss of filing fees, and confusion and demoralization for people who already vulnerable. That is the purpose of UPL statutes: There is a very real risk of harming the legal rights of the very people you are trying to help.
I say this with great admiration for your project and what it seeks to accomplish. You’ve clearly put a lot of love into this, and I’d love to see it continue in a way that protects both your users and your team. Again, I highly recommend you speak to an attorney who is experienced in UPL matters.
If this is what folks need to get their documentation finished, then let it multiple for all states, and even more countries. Cute little idea, thank you for the time spent making it.
Hi there! We plan to release all states and territories. The only issue is that these things can take a bit of time but we are working hard to support them as we speak!
Edit BC I can't reply for whatever reason: Wasn't intending to be a snide remark, was simply saying that this is only helpful to those who live in the US. Yes this is a good resource for someone who lives in any of the states this covers, but borders on useless for trans people who live in Canada, the UK, Australia, Mexico, etc.
I understand why you're upset and defensive, but you need to understand that America isn't the only country that exists, and we're being persecuted in other countries just the same (the UK and their recently passed anti-trans legislation, for example). I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I'm just exhausted of things being touted as "the best and greatest resource ever for trans folk" and feeling lead on because it doesn't apply for anyone outside the US.
Maybe don't try to score points off people without doing the research.
India has four million hijra, but they don't have a set form for name changes. The US and Brazil both have transgender populations triple the size of the next highest and have specific forms and procedures that this document could assist with. In Brazil you really ought to have a lawyer, though, so this resource is of little help there.
Centering resources for name-change on the US makes sense if you want to help the most people. Since this one country has 50+ sets of laws that's more than enough of a project without demanding every country receive equal up-front coverage.
Not even going to get into how the form-and-fee-alone name change is shockingly rare. Most countries privilege the parents' name choice, with no allowance made for transgender people even when the law claims otherwise (I know that in Germany the law gives specific allowances for trans people on paper, but that's not how it works in practice.)
I was trying to provide affirmation a project already centered on the United States. You respond to this with a snide remark. Do you not see a problem here?
I know people think it's fun to push Americans' noses in, but please keep in mind that we are barely surviving in this country. Most of us have little to no say in how our government is run due to intentional bias towards low-population states dating back to the drafting of the Constitution. We are facing the criminalization of our identity within the next three years (it's a stated goal of the administration). In 2014 you were maybe taking a poke at a bully. In 2025 you are kicking vulnerable people when they're down.
That's the idea! We wanted to release for June in order to get something in during Pride, but please check back in as we will be updating as time goes on.
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I tested all five states and two of them populate forms incorrectly, there might be other errors but I wasn't looking extensively
Cali next plz!!! <3 <3 <3
this is really cool but simulating an attorney or legal assistant in this manner can run into unauthorized practice of law problems, especially if you are telling people which forms they need to file. i see you have a legal consultant which is great, but you really ought to run this past another attorney because as an attorney this is raising a lot of red flags, and i'd like to see this game stick around/not get anyone in trouble
Hello irenik, I am the Game Director of Name Change Simulator.
First and foremost, I appreciate the concern!
Our team made this free-to-play game as a way to ease the process of filling out forms and to provide publicly available knowledge. In our in-game disclaimer and Terms of Use (found in our project directory), we make sure to note that we are not legal professionals and that we are not providing legal advice. In a nut shell, Name Change Simulator isn't anything more than a themed PDF auto-filling tool. We simply aggregated publicly available PDFs and filing information for each state into a single source so that players don't need to seek out these forms and information themselves. If you have any questions or would like to assist as a volunteer for our work, please feel free to contact me via my links in the Credits page.
Queerfully yours,
Riza
Hi Riza,
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I really appreciate the work you're doing to support trans people—especially in the states you're covering. I know how hard it is to navigate this kind of paperwork without guidance.
That said, I want to gently but clearly emphasize that this isn’t just a concern about general disclaimers. The current structure of the game—especially the inclusion of a character who says she’s an “attorney at law,”/purports to have expertise, the jurisdiction-specific form logic, and the auto-filling of ready-to-file legal documents—could constitute unauthorized practice of law in multiple states, regardless of your intent or free-to-play model.
UPL is about function and perception, and this game currently performs tasks (e.g., customized legal document prep, form selection) that are legally restricted to licensed professionals. The risk is heightened when users are pro se and relying on the your tool to get it right. Filing incorrect forms, filing forms in the wrong venue, or failing to meet notice requirements can result in rejected filings, delays, loss of filing fees, and confusion and demoralization for people who already vulnerable. That is the purpose of UPL statutes: There is a very real risk of harming the legal rights of the very people you are trying to help.
I say this with great admiration for your project and what it seeks to accomplish. You’ve clearly put a lot of love into this, and I’d love to see it continue in a way that protects both your users and your team. Again, I highly recommend you speak to an attorney who is experienced in UPL matters.
Warmly,
irenik
I'd love to see more WV rep! All good if you don't though, WV doesn't exactly like queer people ;-;
Also bookmarking for if there is an update for PA. Please please PLEAAAASE
Bookmarking this if there is a NC update
that’s what i’m saying!
please add support for nc, this is an incredible resource.
This is so cool! Cant wait for Arizona
this is so cute!! if you ever make support for Indiana I will be there instantly
This is literally SO wholesome and helpful! Will ABSOLUTELY be using this if you ever make one for Michigan!! <3
Yes please!!!
This is such a great thing, I hope you guys get to PA soon!!!
If this is what folks need to get their documentation finished, then let it multiple for all states, and even more countries. Cute little idea, thank you for the time spent making it.
Hi there! We plan to release all states and territories. The only issue is that these things can take a bit of time but we are working hard to support them as we speak!
If you can get this up to 50 states it may be one of the most important trans resources on the web.
*if you live in the US
Edit BC I can't reply for whatever reason: Wasn't intending to be a snide remark, was simply saying that this is only helpful to those who live in the US. Yes this is a good resource for someone who lives in any of the states this covers, but borders on useless for trans people who live in Canada, the UK, Australia, Mexico, etc.
I understand why you're upset and defensive, but you need to understand that America isn't the only country that exists, and we're being persecuted in other countries just the same (the UK and their recently passed anti-trans legislation, for example). I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I'm just exhausted of things being touted as "the best and greatest resource ever for trans folk" and feeling lead on because it doesn't apply for anyone outside the US.
Maybe don't try to score points off people without doing the research.
India has four million hijra, but they don't have a set form for name changes. The US and Brazil both have transgender populations triple the size of the next highest and have specific forms and procedures that this document could assist with. In Brazil you really ought to have a lawyer, though, so this resource is of little help there.
Centering resources for name-change on the US makes sense if you want to help the most people. Since this one country has 50+ sets of laws that's more than enough of a project without demanding every country receive equal up-front coverage.
Not even going to get into how the form-and-fee-alone name change is shockingly rare. Most countries privilege the parents' name choice, with no allowance made for transgender people even when the law claims otherwise (I know that in Germany the law gives specific allowances for trans people on paper, but that's not how it works in practice.)
I was trying to provide affirmation a project already centered on the United States. You respond to this with a snide remark. Do you not see a problem here?
I know people think it's fun to push Americans' noses in, but please keep in mind that we are barely surviving in this country. Most of us have little to no say in how our government is run due to intentional bias towards low-population states dating back to the drafting of the Constitution. We are facing the criminalization of our identity within the next three years (it's a stated goal of the administration). In 2014 you were maybe taking a poke at a bully. In 2025 you are kicking vulnerable people when they're down.
I'm not talking to you any more.
That's the idea! We wanted to release for June in order to get something in during Pride, but please check back in as we will be updating as time goes on.