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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    2

    Default Hyphenate Minor Name In Massachusetts

    Hi! I need some help! I read thru all of the postings and I can't seem to find anything for Massachusetts. I submitted a name change request (via my atty) to hyphenate my daughter's last name to add mine. She is almost 9 years old. She has been using my last name for the past 4 years on her own and has been asking me to get it changed. The bio father objected so now the court appointed a GAL on her behalf. The GAL told me that name hyphenations aren't common in my town (what does that have to do with anything??). My daughter has very infrequent visits with the bio father. In fact, the counselor I took her to told me that she should only see her bio father every other wknd for an hour in a public place. He's an alcoholic and there has just never been a bond there. My daughter has a great relationship with her step-dad. I am not asking to drop the bio father's name, just add my last name so she has identity to both sides (not to mention the fact that I get a pittance in child support). The GAL seems to believe that the only reason my daughter wants her name changed is because of the "lack of visits" with her bio father. I get the impression that this particular GAL is super liberal and into father's rights which I have no problem with at all. The GAL claims that she's not seeing enough info as to why the name change should happen. Isn't it enough that my daughter wants it and has been using my L/N for four years?? Does anyone have any idea how MA courts rule on name hyphenations if the bio father objects? If the courts deny the request (which would REALLY upset my daughter), any idea at what age she can go to court and petition her own last name change? If the courts deny this, I can guarantee that my daughter will just have a whole lot more animosity towards her bio father than she already has. It's just ridiculous that I have to go thru this for a name hyphenation, esp. since I'm the one who does just about 100% of her upbringing, including financially? Help?!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Hyphenate Minor Name In Massachusetts

    If the courts deny the request (which would REALLY upset my daughter), any idea at what age she can go to court and petition her own last name change?
    Eighteen. And the courts generally don't say No when a legal adult petitions for a change of name.

    Your attorney is going to have a better idea of how the courts tend to rule on name changes than we would. Have you discussed this with him/her?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Hyphenate Minor Name In Massachusetts

    Thanks for the response. My lawyer hasn't called back yet...last time i called her she basically told me to let the GAL do her thing and put the recommendation in. I'm just wondering what my chances are since the bio fater objected...I really don't know why he even cares because he never really sees our daughter and she wants nothing to do with him. I guess it's his control over me or something. Anyways, I'm hoping that the GAL recommends in favor of the name hyphenation. My daughter wants to feel like part of me and our nuclear family at our house. She's with us 99.9999% of the time too....just not sure if anyone had any ideas how the MA courts view this stuff even if the bio father objects.

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