i want to hyphenate my kids' names/remarried

[karen105]

I am wondering if i NEED PERMISSION from my ex husband just to hyphenate my kids' last name to my new husbands name. Example: their last name now is smith, my new husbands last name is jones. so i want them to be smith-jones..... i am not dropping the ex's name, just adding another. i hope i dont need his permission cuz that doesnt seem fair. especially since i changed mine to jones. i want the kids to have part of my new name also.

 

[WhirledPeas]

For legal name changes, both parents must authorize it. If you want the kids to have your name, you have the option of keeping it.

 

[Duranie]

Nope, you need dad's permission and don't count on it. Your kids should not get a name change just because you got married. People will also assume your husband is their dad and has adopted them.

 

[karen105]

well if i am hyphenating their names, then people should know that my new husband didnt adopt, right? and who cares if they do?? i just want to still have my kids look like they are mine. i change my name and i know longer look their mom. and for me to keep the ex husbands name just makes me sick!!! now that he is remarried his new victim is gonna change her name to his and then she looks like my kids' mother...its not fair!!!!!!!

 

[Duranie]

What is not fair? You named the kids at birth, that is the name they keep unless Dad agrees to it. Your kids do not need your last name. You can sure ask him but i wouldnt expect it. I do not know what your re marrying has anything to do with it. It is normal for a wife to take he her husbands last name. It is not normal for kids to take the name of their step-dad.