[casama]

I'm unmarried and paternity has been established with the child's father through a DNA test. The father is demanding that the child have his last name only on bc and all legal documents pertaining to child. I want the child to have my last name. Since paternity has been established, does Illinois require that the child automatically have the last name of the father?

[Baystategirl]

I'm unmarried and paternity has been established with the child's father through a DNA test. The father is demanding that the child have his last name only on bc and all legal documents pertaining to child. I want the child to have my last name. Since paternity has been established, does Illinois require that the child automatically have the last name of the father?

No. The father would have to petition the courts for the name change. The Courts decision to do so would consider the best interest of the child. How old is the child? Would you compromise and agree to a hyphenated last name...ie Smith-Jones?