Has anyone been through court to have child's last name changed? My one year old has had no contact for months now with his father and obviously only being one he has no attachment to his last name? Father won't agree to name change. Also wondering how much financially this would cost?
18 Replies
If u scroll down a few posts someone asked this recently and all the answers are on there that might benefit u too
I don’t think the court will approve it. My niece wanted to change her last name when she was 12 and the court wouldn’t approve it even though her father was no longer in her life. On her 18th birthday she changed it by deed poll.
A few months? So much potential for this to change, even if the relationship is toxic.
He's one? You still have contact with the Dad, just let things be. It honestly sounds like you're trying to punish him.
The court won't agree. It will be a waste of your time, money and stress. So much can change from this point onwards. Its just a name.
I think you should leave it as is. The father has his rights and if you named him that at birth it was your choice and for a reason. Just because you don’t see him, don’t see why his name should be changed. My opinion. Many won’t agree with but you should have done it from day 1!
Not use it as a tool to get at him. It was only 1 year ago you named him and unless he has harmed your child then leave it.
Just FYI I changed my kids when she was 4. She has no recall of it, I just suggest don't get keepsakes with full name on, opt for first and middle.
It's difficult if not impossible to change a child's surname if one of the parents doesn't consent. So I dressy you're looking at a lengthy and costly battle that probably won't even break your way.
Plenty of kids go by a 'preferred' surname. It's different to what's on the paperwork. This is why. When they're older they can change it themselves. I dont know the details of your situation, but I do agree with others that one year is young and a few months is nothing in the grand scheme. It's unfortunate that he can come and go as much as he wants, he may be waiting until baby can go with him without dealing with you. He may just be a controlling tool. Either way, wait it out and see.
U should just leave it anyway its only been a few months and if the father wont allow it there's not much u can do. Sounds more like u want to do it out of spite
How do you know that? It's probably more regret.
My story…. Ex was able to apply for a passport to take the child out of the country without consent but wasn’t approved through the courts to change the last name without consent. 🤔
Two very different things. One is a holiday (I assume!) and one is an identity change. Not comparable at all.
Ok so taking children out of the country without consent is perfectly fine but not allowing a child to remove the name of a parent they have not seen or heard from in 12 years is not possible. Me personally I think they are as important as each other.
Agree if you have 100% and don't hear from him he should not have the right to control that, or anything.
12 months! The child in question is still a baby. I think we all know it is very hard for the non custodial parent to keep contact with babies as the system is not on their side and calling is a bit awkward if the main carer is not supportive as they would need to be a part of the call. For all anyone knows the father may be trying to go through the courts to get visitation in place.
Just wanted to give a point of view, my son's dad and I split when he was very young, so I have him my surname on his birth certificate, dad was named but played no part in his life. I got married when son was 13, at that time, because I changed my name he decided to take on his dads name (despite still not having met him). It was an identity thing. He is now 20, and uses his legal name still, but uses his dads surname for fb etc. My point is, even if you do get it changed, you don't know what the future holds, if you marry you may end up with a different surname to your child anyway.