In the matter of JAI SMITH, Petitioner

Filed
D.C. Superior Court
06/23/2026 13:59PM
Clerk of the Court
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FAMILY COURT
DOMESTIC RELATIONS BRANCH
In the matter of Case No. 2026 BCN 000181
Judge STEVEN M WELLNER
JAI SMITH,
Petitioner.
ORDER FOR POSTING BY THE CLERK
On April 29, 2026, Jai Smith ("Petitioner") filed an application to change the name of
minor child Leo Jaidan Smith-Murray, born August 4, 2016. On June 18, 2026, Ms. Smith
appeared by Webex for a hearing. She reported that she attempted to serve notice on the minor
child's father by certified mail, but she did not receive confirmation of delivery. The Court
continued the hearing to give Ms. Smith more time to serve the father.
On June 18, 2026, Ms. Smith filed a motion for alternative service. Her motion describes
her unsuccessful effort by certified mail. She also indicates that she does not know where Mr.
Murray currently works and has "no alternative methods to notify or serve the defendant." Ms.
Smith asks the Court to give notice to the father by posting notice on the Court's website.
The Court issues this Order instructing the Clerk to post notice of an upcoming hearing at
which the issue of changing the minor child's name will be decided. The notice will advise Mr.
Murray that if he wishes to participate in this case, he must appear at the upcoming hearing.
The Court finds, based on Ms. Smith's representations, that she meets the requirements for
alternative service under Super. Ct. Dom. Rel. R. 4(c)(4)(A)(ii). Ms. Smith's application to
proceed without prepayment of costs was previously approved; therefore, the Court also finds that

Ms. Smith meets the requirements for service by posting in the clerk's office and on the court's
website. See Super Ct. Dom. Rel. R. 4(c)(4)(D). As required by the rules, the Clerk of the Court
will post the notice below for a period of twenty-one calendar days.
Accordingly, it is hereby
ORDERED that Petitioner Jai Smith's Motion for Alternative Service, filed June 18, 2026,
is GRANTED; it is further
ORDERED that the Clerk of the Family Court of the Superior Court of the District of
Columbia SHALL POST the following Order for a period of twenty-one calendar days:
Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Case No. 2026 BCN 000181
In the Matter of Jai Smith
On April 29, 2026, Petitioner Jai Smith filed Petition for
Change of Name of a Minor concerning minor child Leo
Jaidan Smith-Murray, born August 4, 2016.
The Court will hold a hearing in this case on August 6, 2026,
at 9:30 a.m., in Courtroom JM-10 of the Superior Court of
the District of Columbia, located at 500 Indiana Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20001. If Louis Deion Murray does
not appear at the hearing or otherwise respond to Petitioner
Smith's Petition, the Court may grant Petitioner Smith's
requested relief without further input.
So ordered on June 23, 2026.
Judge Steven M. Wellner
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IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: June 23, 2026 _______________________________
STEVEN M WELLNER
Associate Judge
By U.S. Mail and email:
JAI SMITH
460 L ST NW #523
WASHINGTON DC 20001
JDANIELLE85@ICLOUD.COM
Petitioner
Not served:
Louis Deion Murray (no address provided by petitioners)
Natural Father
Also transmitted to Clerk, Family Court
3