Can a Minor Change Name with Guardian's (Not Parent) Consent
My question involves name change laws in the State of: Idaho.
I'm turning seventeen in a couple of months.
My mother was/is neglectful, abusive, and doesn't make the best choices in men. As in, her past fiancés have sexually and physically abused her children while drunk/high/etc (it's no longer going on, by the way).
Although I've made it a point to keep her out of my life as much as possible, I don't want her to be able to find me. So, if I changed my name after I turn seventeen (with my legal guardian's consent) would she be able to find my location, or contact me because she's my biological mother? Or is there a way I can get those files sealed from her? As far as I know, she has no visitation rights towards me, and no physical custody of me.
Re: Can a Minor (17yrs) Change Name with Guardian (Not Parent) Consent
She's still your legal parent, correct?
Her rights have not been terminated?
Re: Can a Minor (17yrs) Change Name with Guardian (Not Parent) Consent
No, her rights were terminated when she lost physical custody of me and two of my siblings.
Re: Can a Minor (17yrs) Change Name with Guardian (Not Parent) Consent
Please understand that there is a BIG difference between losing custodial and visitation rights - and actually losing PARENTAL rights.
Losing custody does NOT equate to losing parental rights.
Please make sure which one applies here - better yet, please have your legal guardian sign up with the relevant paperwork handy.
Re: Can a Minor (17yrs) Change Name with Guardian (Not Parent) Consent
I do understand the difference and that custodial and visitation rights are very different than parental rights. And my biological mother has none of these. When she lost physical custody and any visitation rights to me, the courts also terminated her parental rights.