Mother Not Allowing Father to See Kids

**mollieg2003** · 04-13-2009, 03:56 PM

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Oregon

My boyfriend is the father of 2 beautiful girls from a previous relationship. He has not been allowed to see them for 2 years now. There are no court orders or child support. she is now also trying to change the girl's last names to her current boyfriends. What can we do? what rights does he have? how do we get started? Legal aide has denied him since she has already talked with them.

**letsprocre8** · 04-13-2009, 04:38 PM

There is absolutely no possible way that she can change their name without his consent.
I'm on the opposite side of that in that I want my son to have my last name (at least a hyphen or something) and I can't do that without my ex's consent...she'll be bashing her head against a wall if she tries it and every attorney will tell her the same thing...

I will do a little research and see if I can find a website for forms for you to fill out and file yourself.

**aardvarc** · 04-13-2009, 08:05 PM

Has he been established as the father? If not, he is a legal stranger to the child and she can name the children whatever she wishes.

If he HAS been established as the father, the issue can be addressed by the court. Until and unless there exists (a) establishment of paternity, AND (b) some order from a court spelling out his rights and responsibilities, he has neither (advantage to being married before having children is that it includes at least some of the basic rights - having children outside of the legal framework of marriage means that instead of getting a "prefab", you have to build a framework yourself - it can be done, just takes more steps, time, hassle, etc.).