I gave my son his fathers last name, becasue he was there at the hospital when he was born (I know dumb reason) I am no longer with the babys father...and he doesnt help me out! I want to change my sons last name so that he will only carry mine. How do I go about this? Is it a long process? I have also heard that if I was to leave the state, I would need to get the father okay first? Is this true?
2007-01-10 04:32:35 · 15 answers · asked by Licha 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Think of the best interest of the child. Just because you are no longer "with" the child's father does not mean that you should change the child's name. It is the child's father, afterall. It is usually best to put the interest of the child before your own emotional feelings toward the dad.
2007-01-10 05:01:12 · answer #1 · answered by Alexandriagal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think your reasons for this name change has nothing to do with the child and everything to do with you. So what if you two as parents ended the relationship, that's no reason for the child to be tormented as a result of the relationship. Look.... that boy deserves to know who is father is and what he was all about. You may be saying, "Who....that no-good bum.....", remember though that he was a bum when you met him, so that makes you just as "no-good" as him to bring a child in this world by "no-good parents". There are ways in which you can get support for your child, or if worse comes to worse, step up to the plate and do the "Mommy & Daddy" role. I know that it's hard, but heck you won't be the first nor will you be the last the raise a child by yourself. Just remenber in all your struggles that there is a God above and your son's father will have to give an account for the role that he played in the life of your son - and nobody judges better than the Almighty Father. Get over him and move on.
2007-01-10 12:49:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thing is changing his name will not change his parentage. I was in agony over this while I was pregnant. I decided to go with the father's last name because no matter what, that will be his father. May sound like a small thing but not to a kid.
On the other hand, how will you answer if your child wants to know why your last name's are different. I also considered this, a child grows up one day and he will understand.
Please just let him be. It will be harder to explain to him and may cause friction later on because you took that right away from him. As a daughter you can always argue that her last name will eventually change but not so for ao son.
As to taking him out of state, I believe that it all depends on if the child was in a custody battle and the specifics outlined.
2007-01-10 13:03:56 · answer #3 · answered by stacy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think since you gave the child his father's name you need his permission to do a name change. If you have the consent to do it then you can go to the clerk's office and pay a sum of money to get the name change done.
As for leaving the state, if he has visitation rights you cannot pull up stakes and leave. It would be violating his parental rights. If you have a really good reason like a better job opportunity, more family etc. then sometimes you can appeal to a judge to approve it. They have to agree that you are doing it for a very good reason though. I haven't tried it myself but that's what I have always understood...
Good luck...
2007-01-10 12:40:48 · answer #4 · answered by Cute But Evil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leaving the state without getting the fathers ok would depend on what state you live in. As far as the name goes, you would have to get the fathers ok, or you would have to get the court to terminate his parental rights. This is a long and costly process that has no guarantee of success.
I would consult an attorney regarding the issue. Depending on your state, you can also have his wages garnished for child support.
2007-01-10 12:37:42 · answer #5 · answered by wanderingphotographer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't do that...It is the childs right to have his fathers last name.It is about his heritage no matter if the father is doing anything or not.Don't be like that.It is his father who helped you get the child.Come on it wouldn't be right anuyways.And besides who knows that child might have somthing left for him later in life and you will have taken it awy by changing his last name.Yes it is true you do have to talk to the father but be sure ask an attorney first.
2007-01-10 12:38:57 · answer #6 · answered by gblue52 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are different ways of going about it but you could go online to your state's superior court site and get the form for a name change from there. The process varies with the state.
2007-01-10 12:42:17 · answer #7 · answered by Neon Ballroom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What state do you live in? You have up to a year to change the baby's name. In GA, the baby is automatically given the mother's last name.
Find out your state's law about that.
2007-01-10 12:40:53 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Name changes are fairly simple. There's a form to fill out from the Social Security Administration (you can get it from their site) and one to do at the DMV (that's where I did mine when I got married, anyway. I suppose it could vary by state.)
Moving out of state requires different things in different states. If there's been no formal custody arrangement made, you may have no issue but contact a lawyer to find out for sure.
2007-01-10 12:39:08 · answer #9 · answered by CR329 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What could the future hold concerning the relationship between you and your son with a decision like making a name change?
I'm sure each state has different rules on domicile.
2007-01-10 12:49:51 · answer #10 · answered by GoodQuestion 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋