Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

File a petition for name change for a minor. When you file the petition, ask for a hearing date about one month out. Hire a private process server to serve the father. If he can't serve him, he'll write an affidavit saying what efforts he took. You can then ask the court to authorize alternative service or service by publication. Once he is served (either actually or by alternative service or publication), go the the hearing with an order granting the name change and default him.