Father wants me (single/unwed) to change child's last name...Can he ? Will the court grant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a dad and I still think you should not do it. While the child is a minor, the child should have the same name as the custodial parent. It makes things easier.

If you want, you can add the father's name as a second middle name like John Robert Dadson Momson, but otherwise, I would not recommend you anything more than this. If he wants the child to have his name, then he needs to stick around and be a good father for the next 15 years and convince his son to change his name legally to father's last name upon reaching his majority.

Great advice here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actions speak louder than words. He was absent for the first 3 years of his child's life. Now he's back and wants you to change the kid's last name to his? No way. You are under no obligation to do so.

Or, maybe the issue is mom didn't want him involved, ran him off and then decided she wanted him involved because of the child support/income she could receive. We only know one side of the story. There is no harm in a child having both last names. Simple solution.

How does one "run him off" exactly? If the bio dad wanted to be involved, unless the mom fled the country and disappeared, he could've gone to court back when the baby was born to fight for his rights. Why didn't he insist on establishing paternity after birth then?

Not everyone has the financial means to fight it out in court, and then go back and get things enforced regularly. Have you been through a custody battle? We are about $60,000 in to one with no end in sight. And, that is our share. That does not include what the other parties are spending. We have exhausted our savings.

Yawn. Isn't there a story already about this? Solomon's baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a dad and I still think you should not do it. While the child is a minor, the child should have the same name as the custodial parent. It makes things easier.

If you want, you can add the father's name as a second middle name like John Robert Dadson Momson, but otherwise, I would not recommend you anything more than this. If he wants the child to have his name, then he needs to stick around and be a good father for the next 15 years and convince his son to change his name legally to father's last name upon reaching his majority.

Great advice here

+1 if he really cares to try the kid will want the name.

[Anonymous]

OP, please consult an attorney if you haven't already. I personally think the name thing is not a big deal, but what you're describing raises concerns about what he will ask for next, related to custody. You want to look as easy going as possible now, in case you need to dig in your heels if your child's father asks the court for something that threatens your child's safety or stability. Some MoCo judges who preside over family cases are deeply hostile towards women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actions speak louder than words. He was absent for the first 3 years of his child's life. Now he's back and wants you to change the kid's last name to his? No way. You are under no obligation to do so.

Or, maybe the issue is mom didn't want him involved, ran him off and then decided she wanted him involved because of the child support/income she could receive. We only know one side of the story. There is no harm in a child having both last names. Simple solution.

How does one "run him off" exactly? If the bio dad wanted to be involved, unless the mom fled the country and disappeared, he could've gone to court back when the baby was born to fight for his rights. Why didn't he insist on establishing paternity after birth then?

Not everyone has the financial means to fight it out in court, and then go back and get things enforced regularly. Have you been through a custody battle? We are about $60,000 in to one with no end in sight. And, that is our share. That does not include what the other parties are spending. We have exhausted our savings.

Your poor children, having parents who would rather bankrupt themselves than try to compromise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absent father the first 3 years of my son's life keeps pressuring me to change the child's last name (my last name) to his. We have been through Montgomery County Courts and establish paternity... added his name to birth certificate ... set visitation which commenced a month ago..... and child support. I'd like to share the same last name with my son. I've told him his name is now on the birth certificate and he has now the opportunity to have the relationship... why change the last name ..what's wrong with mine...doesn't come to doctor's appointments.. sports... I have a feeling he will take this to court... Does anyone have experience with a matter like this in court? What is the courts/judges position. He left me when I told him I was pregnant after 4 years... then in court 3 years later states on paper he is a good married man father of 3.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has suggestions on how to support my son keeping my last name...anyone with the experience in court...
Should I give in.?

I bet this is his wife pushing . She doesn't want to explain what a man whore she's married to. Tough.