Legal Question in Family Law in California
Adoption versus Legal Name Change
My husband and I have been raising my great niece since a few months after her birth. Her mother was killed in a train accident a few years ago. The child is now enrolled in school and wants to have our last name. The state of California has said that since she was not placed in Foster Care and then into our care they cannot help reduce the costs of Adoption. We simply do not have the resources to pay for the adoption. I have been looking into a legal name change, but am not sure if this would cost any less. Also if it would even be considered as a vaild reason for a name change. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Adoption versus Legal Name Change
Tough situation, I commend you for doing the right thing.
If you only do a name change, which is legally less expensive, all you are doing is creating the appearance that this is your child, legally, you are accomplishing nothing.
In my personal opinion, you need to come up with the funds to do what's best for this child, do the adoption. Find a way.
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