I am 19 and live in the state of Arkansas and she currently has his last name. We have since then split up and he is not paying any child support or seeing her, can I change her name without his consent?
2006-08-12 13:54:43 · 17 answers · asked by kayla_shauntel_05 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
No we were never legally married.
2006-08-12 13:59:35 · update #1
If his name is on the birth certificate or if you had DNA tests to prove paternity,, then NO you cannot do the name change without his consent.
2006-08-12 14:16:34 · answer #1 · answered by yeller 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can, even if you were married. It will take a legal refiling - with some court costs. What is more important to remember is that a name means nothing - more important to that child is the kind of upbringing she does get, and the positive people you as the parent surround her with.
What I do recommend though, is that you take the father AND his parents to court (since he is not of legal age), and sue for child support. Not only does your child deserve this little helping hand in life, but this is also to ensure that the father has to face up to his responsibilities at least financially. This will ensure that he think twice before hopping into the sack with someone else and making another baby that he doesn't have to take care of. I know someone in my hometown that got five different girls pregnant while in high school. You can't tell me that he was paying all of them child support. Apparently no one held him responsible.
I also recommend that you be a lot more selective in your partners. Love is not the feeling you get when you are with someone. Those are just chemicals. Love is the committment two people make to each other, and solely to each other, and the actions they both take to ensure a strong and lasting relationship.
2006-08-12 14:14:49 · answer #2 · answered by Christopher B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did he sign a paternity affidavit, accepting legal and financial responsibility for her? If he did, then no, you can't take his information/name off the birth certificate without his consent. If not, then you should be able to.
If you are sure he is the father, you might want to think about the change for a while so you can petition the court for child support. If the court rules he must pay, and he doesn't, they can garnishee his wages to send you the support for your daughter.
It's a difficult position. Check with an attorney to make sure all your options are covered.
2006-08-12 14:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by kids and cats 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can change the babys name and while you are down at the court house changing the name you need to get your child support order going. It doesnt matter WHOSE name the baby has just as long as HE is PAYING you SUPPORT for HIS CHILD!!!
2006-08-12 14:19:43 · answer #4 · answered by sweet_tea32 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had my last name changed when I was a teenager to my step dads last name (he didn't adopt me though) and all I had to do was write my biological father a letter saying I was changing it and then send a copy to the judge. Gotta have the dough to do it first though. Goodluck! I lived in Texas when that happened by the way.
2006-08-12 14:03:05 · answer #5 · answered by Froggie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep! He's A Child. He's 17 (a child) Your 19 (adult) you can change anything you want. especially if he's NOT paying support! he's obviously got nothing to do with her!
2006-08-12 19:16:32 · answer #6 · answered by david_e22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope, your going to need a court order to change the name. at that time your going to have to explain why you want the name changed. i'm betting a judge will go after child support then.
2006-08-12 14:00:53 · answer #7 · answered by Ms Berry Picker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you must go to court or start calling her by that name and it becomes an AKA...an AKA isn't necessarily a bad thing...just as long as she knows she is loved...but yes...you can its easy...especially if he isn't paying child support...but look out, you're 19, he is 17...you could get it for statutory rape....
I don't think that would be an issue though
2006-08-12 14:00:00 · answer #8 · answered by Skipper1974 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your daughter continues to be youthful sufficient that she ought to definitely change her call with minimum confusion. She hasn't began college so a tremendous variety of human beings do not particularly comprehend her as Jenna and he or she's developmentally very youthful. in case you extremely experience like it turned right into a mistake naming her Jenna then that is nevertheless early sufficient that you'll be able to change her call and he or she will be in a position to evolve to the hot one. Your infant's call isn't set in stone. perhaps try Abigail on her at residing house. See if she responds certainly to it. in case you do decide on to call her that i ought to point putting her middle call as Jenna. And once you call her or confer jointly with her for the first at the same time as use Abigail-Jenna. As she begins to understand the call with herself gradually commence calling her Abigail extra. that is going to ease the transition between names.
2016-11-30 00:15:53 · answer #9 · answered by bolinger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in alberta canada, you can...we were never married and i just explained that he wasnt a part of the childrens life anymore and things would be less confusing for the kids if they had my last name. i didnt need his consent.
2006-08-12 14:25:23 · answer #10 · answered by thepainter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋