Results 1 to 4 of 4

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    2

    Default Adoption or last name change?

    My husband wants to change legally the last name of my child, who has her bio's last name on birth cert. we've been together for 11 years, but married only 8, her real father is an illegal immigrant, which abandoned my when I was pregnant, I spoke to him a couple of times, to get him involved but he had no interest, he said he will sign papers to give up his parental rights, and give my current husband the right to change my daughters last name. He has never paid child support or never given me no type of income, wasn't present at time of birth or ever in her life. But many people tell me that we can change her last name, and some tell me that he has to adopt her? is there a difference?, Would you please give me your advise on the following? one- is it adoption or last name change? can we do this ourselfes, without an attorney? in the state of california how long does this process take for either or? if there is a difference. My husband has been with me since she was 6 mos old. I am very confused.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Changing Child's Name

    So the step-father does not want to adopt?

    You can change the name simply by starting to call the child by a different surname. That's legal if not done for fraudulent purposes, but it can create confusion and problems with documents and records being under "the wrong name".

    You can go to the court which has jurisdiction over your custody case, and petition for authority to change the child's name. The court would perform a best interests analysis, and would likely grant permission.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    2

    Default same

    do you know long it takes to change last name? is it faster if i get consent forms from bio father?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Changing Child's Name

    If the father consents to the name change, there should be no impediment to changing the child's name. Have him join you on the petition for a name change.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Adoption of Children: Trying to Change Last Name or Adoption
    By Joro in forum Adoption Law and Surrogacy
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-05-2010, 03:06 PM
  2. Adoption of Children: Change of Adoption
    By Angel19 in forum Adoption Law and Surrogacy
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-12-2009, 02:11 PM
  3. Adoption of Children: Adoption Without Name Change
    By ezdoesit in forum Adoption Law and Surrogacy
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-04-2007, 10:25 AM
  4. Adoption of Children: Trying to Complete Adoption of a Child in My Care
    By dee3970 in forum Adoption Law and Surrogacy
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-29-2006, 03:52 PM
  5. Adoption and name change
    By ABlackwell in forum Name Change
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-03-2006, 07:12 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources