Quote Quoting hwky
View Post
My question involves name change laws in the State of: Michigan

Hello. First, I appreciate any feedback you may be able to give me. My child is 3 years old and has my maiden name. 8 months ago, I married and changed my name to my current, married name. My child's father is not on the birthcertificate and has no contact with my child (nor has for over 2 years). My husband would like to adopt my child, but we have been advised to wait a minimum of 14 months to begin any adoption proceedings. That said, my child having a different last name than I is confusing, especially when it is my maiden name (and not his biological father's name). Additionally, my child is learning his full name and spelling at school, and I was hoping I might be able to legally change his name before a formal adoption were to take place so that his name and my own continued to be the same, and so that he would not need to relearn a new last name in just a year or so. Would the name change proceeding be nearly as difficult and involved as the full adoption proceeding? Or would there perhaps be an easier way to do a name change?

Additionally, would the name change have to take place in the state where my child was born (MI)? We currently live in a new state, and have for an extended period of time. Would it be possible to do the name change in the current state?
Some things to think about...what if the adoption (for one reason or another) doesn't take place for years and you and your husband end up getting divorced? Would you be happy or glad that you had changed your child's last name?

What if the name change and adoption happens, but 5 or 10 years down the road you and your husband divorce? Would you be ok with your husband getting primary custody of his legal child and you paying him child support, or would your husband be happy to pay child support to you?

These are all things that you need to think about carefully, and probably think about until you are way past the first flush of being happily married.