Legal Question in Family Law in California

I have been divorced for 6 years and have been remarried for 4 1/2. My child from my first marriage likes to add our last name to his because he is "the only one in our house with a different name" and he wants to feel a part of our family too. I am his primary caregiver and have primary custody but 50/50 legal. His father gets angry when I allow him to add my last name, hyphened with his. What, if anything, can I do legally for my son?


Asked on 1/29/10, 3:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Cristin Lowe Law Office of Cristin M. Lowe

You can try to request a name change for your son, but without his father's approval, I don't know think that you would be very successful. At 18, his father no longer has a say, but it may be a moot point by then for your son. This is such a difficult thing for children to accept, and I have a good idea of how your son feels. I wish you the best of luck in helping your son through this situation.

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Answered on 2/03/10, 3:30 pm


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