
Quoting
PaoloA
My question involves name change laws in the State of: Texas and international
Hello all,
I have rather complex case I am looking for suggestions, sorry for the lengthy message.
Nine years ago my wife got pregnant, as a result the biological father left her.
He has never had any contact/support with the my stepchild.
In the meantime, during the pregnancy, she got engaged with another person and she decided to
use that person's last name, also for the kid. That marriage lasted only a few months.
My wife is the only parent on the birth certificate.
My stepchild was born in Texas (my wife is also an American citizen), while I am an Italian citizen.
We currently live in Italy (we have been here for about 3 years now).
So, right now, the kid and my wife still have the name of her former husband (which is not the biological father of the kid... a mess indeed).
We would like to make the situation easier and start an adoption process, but there are many difficulties (e.g. living in
another country).
As an initial resort we were thinking to change his last name with mine. Would it be possible without having to involve
the biological father? (my wife and I are very concerned that that person might create problems)
Which is the competent court? the one where the kid was born or the Italian one?
Additionally, any suggestion as to start the adoption or terminating the biological parental rights (without
involving this person) would be very appreciated.
thank you
best regards
Paolo