My daughter is enrolled in school under her legal name. But she began putting my husband's name on her school papers (except for state tests like the FCAT) immediately after our wedding. I hadn't even changed my name yet and she was ready & wanted to use my husband's name immediately. She also introduces herself to friends with the name we are seeking. The schools allow a child to be called what they wish as long as they're enrolled under their legal name. I believe the school views it in the same way as a child using a nickname (ex. Becky for Rebecca or Bill for William).
Yes this is a big part of our argument. But is this sufficient to show best interest? What additional facts/legal considerations should be brought before the court?"If your legal surname is now the hyphenated surname, the child has never shared a surname with her biological father, and the child wants her surname to match yours in order to better reflect her relationship with her half-siblings, then that would appear to be the gist of your argument."


