Rena:

Whoa, slow down a bit and take a very deep breath. Ok, now I am not, I repeat NOT an attorney, so my advice will not be legal speak.

The one thing I am most certain of is make the other company an offer and see if they counter offer (like when buying a house) Point out the associated costs involved with changing your name e.g. Stationary changes and notifying customers.

Retain an attorney (you may already have) and follow their advice. Be patient, the legal process can be rather slow. Demonstrate a willingness to cooperate. Those can also be initial offers. Be professional, if your attorney says to appear for arbitration wearing a nice blouse and a skirt, then by all means do it! Don’t show up with blue jeans and a faded T-shirt, even if that is everyday wear.

Keep your chin up and smile. It will do wonders for you in front of the other side. When I first became an EMT years ago the instructor once said we would probably get sued over our attitude before our actions. “Most patients, he said, don’t know a thing about what your supposed to be doing, but if you mistreat them, or deny them dignity they will remember this and sue you. If all else fails, smile and show them you care.”

Saying you hate your life is understandable at times like this. Don’t do anything rash and force us to read about it on CNN, hate is after all a very strong word and emotion. Take a break from the forum, the Internet and resolve this problem. Then come back and talk to us again.

Take care,

Stargazer