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Minor's Name Change
My question involves name change laws in the State of: Texas
Thank you. My son has legal lcustody of his biological daughter and wants to change her last name to his. She was born in Ill. but has lived with her father in Houston since 2001. Her mother lives in Il. and does not contest. What is the easiest and least expensive way to get this done? He is a firefighter and the child's mother contributes nothing to her support. He has been told by the Harris co. clerks office that he needs to have the child custody moved to the state of Texas. Is this necessary? He has the custody papers in his possessions. Is a lawyer necessary?
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Re: Minor's Name Change
He can file for a name change through the court with jurisdiction over the custody matter, apparently still Illinois. Mom can either sign a stipulation agreeing to the name change, or not dispute it before or at the court hearing - but dad should expect that he will need to go to court for at least one hearing. If he wants to have the issue resolved in Texas, he needs to transfer the case to Texas. He can achieve a name change without a lawyer; he just has to be able to figure out the process and represent himself in court.