Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri
Changing a juvenile's last name
my daughter wants to change her last name to her step father's. She was never close to her father. He and I were never married. Her step father has always been more of a father. Can we have her name changed? Would the biological fahter have to relinquish custody?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Changing a juvenile's last name
I would have to research whether the biological father must be notified, served or provided an opportunity to be heard on a Petition for a Name Change of your daughter after I have all of the facts. Was the biological dad ever legally determined to be the father by a court or by the division of family services? I have done a name change for a minor child, and normally it is a relatively simple and relatively inexpensive process. However, you and your husband might want to consider a step parent adoption rather than just changing the child's last name.