Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania
Giving a Child's Last name
A young woman is claiming that my son is the father of her child and has given the child his/our last name and has his name on the birth certificate as the father. He has not signed any papers acknowledging that he is the father and is scheduled to take a parternity test next month. Can she legally do this without his permission?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Giving a Child's Last name
It is my experience that the hospital will allow the mother to name the child either by her or the putative father's last name. If your son is indeed proven not to be the father, an interesting question arises. Does he then have standing to change the child's name? Probably not.
Regarding the support, the procedure is exactly as you have described. She may bring an action in support and the court is required to verify paternity. If he is found to be the father, he will be required to pay support. If he is not the father, the matter will be dismissed.
I trust this has been helpful, but feel free to call or e-mail on a free intial basis.
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