Baby's Last Name

[todd65law]

My wife informed me that she wanted to make a change to our child's name only one day after she was born. The first and middle name would stay the same, but she wanted to add her last name to mine for the last name, essentially hyphenating it (she didn't want to change her last name when we married). The problem I have is that it is her ex-husband's last name and not her maiden name. We plan on getting a divorce in the near future, at which time she plans to move to another city to live closer to the ex-husband, for the sake of their kids (or so she says). She wants to add his name to my daughter's name so she'll "have a tie to her brother and sisters" - her words. My position is that her argument is simply nuts - she grew up with a sibling with a different last name, as did I. Will I have the right to challenge this if she does, in fact, go forward with it? (She said she has already submitted the birth certificate information with my name only, but is thinking about amending it.)

 

[Duranie]

Mom cannot change the childs last name at all without your permission. Also if you foresee a divorce you should see an attorney and get all your ducks ina row as to custody. She cannot necessarily get up and move out of the city either. You do have rights to visitation and or custody as well.

You can request a copy of the childs birth cert, again you are dad and if you are married you have full rights.

Don't let your wife call the shots. You need to need to start securing your rights as the father here. If she is planning on moving with the child you can file for divorce and ask for custody or joint custody.