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Changing My Children's Last Name

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  • 10-02-2013, 09:55 PM
    scoutmommy
    Changing My Children's Last Name
    My question involves name change laws in the State of: Georgia

    I have two children with VERY unusual last names that have been teased to the point of them not wanting to go to school, I've contacted the school about it but it keeps happening. (its a horrible name for a girl growing up to have the way the kids keep changing it to profanity and sexual comments) Both my children ages 10 & 8 have asked me to change their last name to mine. I divorced their dad back in Oct 2006 last time he had any contact with them was around 2009 when his newest child was born, he owes $13,661.54 in back child support and only started to pay when CSS threated jail and he only pays just enough to stay out of jail. I have no idea where he lives, what his number is or how to contact him. Can I change their names to help prevent the harassment and bullying at school now and in the future without him consenting to it since I have no way to contact him?
  • 10-02-2013, 10:01 PM
    Disagreeable
    Re: Changing My Children's Last Name
    If the name was so horrible, his family would have changed it years ago. You are free to make the argument to a judge, however, I do not see that a change is in the children's best interests.
  • 10-02-2013, 10:01 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Changing My Children's Last Name
    If you have to serve him by publication, it's probably best that you have an attorney help you with this.
  • 10-02-2013, 10:33 PM
    scoutmommy
    Re: Changing My Children's Last Name
    well his parents had all boys they liked the sexual comments and joked about them but I have a girl and she HATES the sexual comments.
  • 10-02-2013, 10:53 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Changing My Children's Last Name
    That doesn't change my response.

    However, if the last name is truly offensive/notorious, that could actually be a valid reason.
  • 10-02-2013, 11:02 PM
    scoutmommy
    Re: Changing My Children's Last Name
    they call her "**** her son" cause her last name is Fulkerson :(
  • 10-02-2013, 11:38 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Changing My Children's Last Name
    Oh come on - that's nowhere near considered "notorious" or even offensive. Had she been named "Bundy" or "Manson", you might have had something.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Teach your daughter coping skills; kids are cruel and they'll find any reason to pick.
  • 10-03-2013, 08:29 AM
    CourtClerk
    Re: Changing My Children's Last Name
    Fulkerson????

    I thought her last name would have been Vagina or Anus. Please... kids are cruel. If she changes her last name, it's not going to stop those kids from maing those same jokes because it's funny. Then they'll start in on her hair (wait, you're gonna cut it off, right) or her clothes (buy her a new wardrobe every month) or when she develops acne (get her a new face or plastic surgery) or when her breasts are too big or too small (there's a plastic surgeon for that too).
  • 10-03-2013, 10:56 AM
    aardvarc
    Re: Changing My Children's Last Name
    There are HUNDREDS of Fulkersons listed in GA, and that's just the white pages. Hardly an unusual name.

    Quote:

    I divorced their dad back in Oct 2006 last time he had any contact with them was around 2009 when his newest child was born, he owes $13,661.54 in back child support and only started to pay when CSS threated jail and he only pays just enough to stay out of jail. I have no idea where he lives, what his number is or how to contact him.
    None of that has any bearing on the issue.


    Quote:

    Can I change their names to help prevent the harassment and bullying at school now and in the future without him consenting to it since I have no way to contact him?
    You not knowing where he is doesn't lessen HIS right to contest the change (not that he'd really need it, because a judge isn't going to find "Fulkerson" to be problematic). He's STILL their father, and you'll be required to provide him with notification - by publication or alternative service if necessary - you'll need to work with an attorney for this part.

    Better course of action is to work with your children on their self esteem and coping skills. Or, better yet, get them some professional help to improve those skills so they can navigate problems on their own, since you're not going to be able to shield them from all the unfairnesses or unpleasantnesses in life as they grow up.
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