Legal Question in Family Law in South Dakota
Name change
My daughter will be 18 years old in October. She has been going by her stepfathers name but it is not legally that name. She does in fact want to change it to that when she turns 18. What is the procedure she needs to go through to change it. She does not see her real father hardly at all, but I don't think he would have allowed to be changed legally before she turns 18. She will not graduate until May 2002, does that have any effect, they pay child support and will until she graduates from high school she will almost be 19 years old.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Name change
This is a relatively simple process for someone over the age of majority. I would suggest you have an attorney in your area do this. They will file a petition for name change. There is then a requirement to publish the petition in the county's legal paper. Then, after a certain number of publications, the judge may or may not hold a hearing and typically grant the name change without much fuss. It is more complicated if the person seeking the change is a minor.
Thank you for your query.
Best regards,
Todd D. Epp, Esq.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
