Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

I am in the process of changing my sons last name to my own. His father has not been involved in his life for over three years now. As soon as I filed for the name change he started to pay his child support after 2 years of not paying. I know that this is only out of spite, because when I brought up changing his name a year or so ago he said over his dead body. I'm wondering if Massachusetts has any child abandonment laws that would come into play? I know I have to prove it is in the best interest of my child, and my son knows of his last name as mine. I have court in a few weeks and I just want it to go my way.


Asked on 9/23/15, 4:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

You do not state how old the child is. Certainly, your ex's behavior has an impact, but more important is what your child wants and that will depend on your child's age. If your child is a teenager, the court is much more likely to take his/her preferences into consideration the older the child is.

Good luck

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Answered on 9/23/15, 4:19 pm


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