Legal Question in Family Law in Michigan

Hyphenating child last name?

I have ask my ex-husband if I could change my son's last name to my maiden name. Of course he refused. I know that the court need his permission for such a thing, so that the child has connection with the father.

Now I'm wondering about Hyphenating my son's last? Do I still need his permission? How do the courts feel about this?

Ex-Husband visits our son, once a year. So, I would like our son to have the same connection with my family as well!

Thank you in advance!


Asked on 6/29/04, 10:48 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Blake Lipman Law Office of Blake P. Lipman

Re: Hyphenating child last name?

You still need husband's permission to change son's name. For more info., please contact my office at (248)851-3171.

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Answered on 6/29/04, 11:35 am
Regina Mullen Legal Data Services, PLC

Re: Hyphenating child last name?

Your child is entitled to his proper last name, and you shouldn't attempt to change it for no good reason. If your relationship with your family is the issue, make THAT the issue, not the child's last name. If your child wants to change his name when he's older, then he will be able to do so. In any event, yes, you need his father's permission to make any change to the child's legal name. Further, by attempting to cut off his relationship with his father,--regardless of how often they actually get to visit, you run the risk of the court looking at you unfavorably under the best interest test, should the father contest custody down the road or challenge your parenting.

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Answered on 6/29/04, 2:22 pm


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