Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee

Change of last name for my son

I was married breifly for about 3 months appx. 5 years ago. Me and my ex husband had a son who is almost 5. My ex has not seen my son since he was born and has paid no support to him ever. I want to change my sons last name to my maiden name legally. Either completly change it or add mine with a hyphen to his current last name. I have not been able to contact his father and neither has the state as i did receive assistance from them previously. What do you think my chances are of succsessfully changing his last name without my ex husbands consent.


Asked on 1/31/06, 10:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
LAURA TEK LAW OFFICE OF LAURA TEK

Re: Change of last name for my son

A COURT WILL GRANT YOU A NAME CHANGE FOR YOUR CHILD, HOWEVER, YOU FIRST HAVE TO SHOW THE COURT THAT YOU MADE A REASONABLE EFFORT TO LOCATE THE FATHER AND NOTIFY HIM OF WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. YOU THEN NEED TO SHOW THE COURT THAT THE FATHER NEVER HAS ESTABLISHED A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD AND NEVER PAID ANY SUPPORT FOR HIM. IF YOU CAN DO THIS, THE COURT WILL MOST LIKELY GRANT YOUR PETITION TO CHANGE THE CHILD'S NAME.

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Answered on 2/01/06, 7:43 pm


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