Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee

name changing and is there a law about how long he goes without seeing a child?

My daughter is two years old and i have had her since she was born her so called father gets her every other weekend.Well her last name has been mine since a couple weeks ago.I want her name changed back to mine because he doesn't even come and see her.He hasn't seen her since her birthday and that was in march and he didn't even tell her happy birthday he just showed up because he could.He all of a sudden like a week ago decided he wanted to play daddy because the district atorney told him if he didnt get caught up on his child support he would go to jail in september.Is there a possibility that i can change her name back since she is two years old and knows her name she doesn't even answer me when i say her whole name with her new last name.And she doesn't even know her real dad she thinks my current fiance is her daddy she loves him and she doesn't want to go to her real fathers she screamed when he came and picked her up.Oh p.s we have never been married!


Asked on 7/19/07, 10:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
KJW Firm PLC

Re: name changing and is there a law about how long he goes without seeing a child?

You didn't say how her name was changed. If her biological father would agree to it, I would wait until you get married and then do a step-parent adoption. That will terminate the biological father's parental rights and essentially give them to your new husband. In the adoption, you can also request a name change to your new family name.

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Answered on 7/20/07, 8:27 am


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