Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut
If the baby should have the fathers last name
My step daughter is having a baby but she is not planning on getting married. She does not know whether or not to give the baby the fathers last name for legal reasons. If she does will she be required to ask him permission to take the child out of state? What will his legal rights be if the baby has his last name? If she dicides not to put his last name on the paperwork will she be able to legally receive money from him to help raise the child?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: If the baby should have the fathers last name
The child's name will not affect the legal obligations of the parents. The father has a legal obligation to pay child support. He also has a right to visitation with the child. There are guidelines that determine the noncustodial parent's child support obligation. Often the parties can work out a visitation schedule. You will need a court order to obligate the father to pay the child support. If the parent's are not married, verification of paternity is necessary before a court will order child support. Your daughter will be able to take the child out of state unless the father objects. If the father has an objection to your daughter taking the child out of state, the court will resolve that issue in the "best interests of the child."
Re: If the baby should have the fathers last name
The last name of the child has no effect on father's rights or obligations. Whether she can move out of state, whether he has to pay child support, whether he gets visitation all are dependent on a court order being put in place.
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