I'm after advice from people who've actually done this, I've just found out my son's sperm donor is in jail. He's been in there nearly three months.
I'm wanting to change my son's last name as he has nothing to do with his father, and hasn't for 8 years.
Is it easier to get it done while the other parent is incarcerated?
Thanks.
4 Replies
No, unless he has signed over his parental rights or you have sole parental responsibility given to you by the courts you will still need his permission.
You will need him to sign the papers... if he doesn’t sign them the best you will be granted is a hyphenated last name for example, Smith- Western. My situation.... father had no contact, I was granted sole responsibility (different subject but understand sole custody and sole responsibility are 2 different scenarios) then applied for name change, I was granted both names hyphenated. However in saying that, schools, doctors, etc do let you choose which name you prefer to use however official documents, passports, keycards etc will have the hyphenated name.
You will still need his permission. Even with sole parental you can't without permission ( been there)
For the asshat who assumes that it's being done for the wrong reasons on Facebook, MY son is 11. His father put women, drugs and alcohol above MY son from the age of 3.
MY son has seen his father do some horrible things to me and wants NOTHING to do with this man.
So maybe stop being a judgemental ass and assume every woman is doing it to hurt the father. MY son is requesting that it's done, he wants nothing to do with him.