Legal Question in Family Law in Louisiana

Re: changing a childs last name

You would need to file a name change petition and either get the bio-dad's permission or prove why his permission was not needed. The cost could be as low as $800 up to $2,000 and maybe more if there is a fight. So you should ask to change it to the new husband's name instead of making it your maiden and then the new husband's name because that would mean 2 proceedings. An intrafamily adoption would still need the bio-dad's permission. Hoever, according to whether there is a court order for support that was not followed, or no visitation for an extended period, then it should be relatively easy. That cost would run $1,800 plus curator's fees of from $350-500 according to whether the father can be found. If he can be found, then no curator is necessary. An adoption makes the new husband the father, and your son then gets to inherit from 2 men.