Legal Question in Family Law in South Carolina

He may file a petition to change your daughter's last name, but I doubt he will do it. To change a child's name the Court will appoint a Guardian ad litem to help determine if it is in your daughter's best interest to have her name changed. One reasons I don't think he will file a petition for a name change is because he hasn't been supporting her. He would have to go to court and tell the judge why he believes her name should be changed and he will not want to see the judge if he isn't supporting his child. Additionally, if he isn't supporting his daughter then I doubt he will want to pay the money it will cost to file the petition and to pay the Guardian ad litem for your child. If his family is not invovled with your daughter then I think it will be dificult for him to convince a judge that her name should be changed to his name. The judge will also take your opinion into consideration when making the decision. I would suggest that you not worry about it unless he serves you with a petition for name change. If you are served with a petition please immediately contact a SC Family Law attorney.