Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

Background: Last year I won full legal and physical custody of my daughter because her father would not show up for court. We were never married. I have since married and my last name is now Hoover. My daughter stated 1 1/2 years ago that she felt like an outsider when she saw we had made a sign saying the hoover's for our yard. Since then she has been wanting to switch to Hoover. She has been going by Hoover at school and for everything else such as girl scouts, cheer leading. Do we have a legal leg to stand on if we take this to court to get it official? She is 11. I am not sure if age matters in these circumstances.


Asked on 9/02/15, 10:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

There are a couple of ways of making it happen. you can legally just change her name. As she is a juvenile she's assumed not to have any debts or criminal history. Still you need bio dad's approval. Or you can have your husband adopt the child. Again you would need bio dad's approval. Though as it would terminate his child support obligation he might go along with it. If not he can pay child support for the next 7 years.

{John}

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Answered on 9/02/15, 10:46 am


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