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  1. #1

    Angry Do I Have Any Say So in the Last Name

    My question involves name change laws in the State of:New Jersey
    Hi i am a soon to be father and was just wondering as a father if i have any say so in the last name of my son? The mother and i are not together which is not a good thing because i love her very much but she says i need to grow up. We recently had a arguement about the last name of our son and i am wondering if i have a say so in the situation any help would be appeciated thank you.

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

    Default Re: Do I Have Any Say So in the Last Name

    As you are not married, you are a legal stranger to the child until paternity is established, either voluntarily or through DNA testing.

    Even when paternity is established, you have no automatic right to have the child bear your name. You can ask, but the mother can say No. Similarly, you can petition the court, but the judge can also say No.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    2,031

    Default Re: Do I Have Any Say So in the Last Name

    Quote Quoting LawResearcherMissy
    View Post
    As you are not married, you are a legal stranger to the child until paternity is established, either voluntarily or through DNA testing.

    Even when paternity is established, you have no automatic right to have the child bear your name. You can ask, but the mother can say No. Similarly, you can petition the court, but the judge can also say No.
    Just to add to this advice:

    If you file for a name change you should request a hyphenated name...ie ...Smith-Jones. That would very likely be granted.

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