child name change
By tigerlily
@tigerlily (12)
United States
September 21, 2006 8:04pm CST
what does the judge want to hear about it being in the best interest of the child
6 responses
@MrsFrizzle (1963)
• United States
25 Oct 06
Proubly how would the name change effect the child in a posative way.
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
25 Oct 06
Think about it. We are all very much attached to our names. Is the child old enough where he might have problems changing names? Would it be offensive to the child who maybe is fond of his father's name and wants to keep it? Ask the child how he feels and go from there.
@tigerlily (12)
• United States
25 Oct 06
My son is the one that approached me and he has been using the name he want to change it too since he was 5 he now is almost 15 and has no contact at all with his real dad. The judge knows this and would not grant a name change.
@tigerlily (12)
• United States
25 Oct 06
I think so too. I talked to a lawyer and told him everything and he said it should not have been a problem. I am taking my son in with me and hopefully if there are any questions she can ask him. My son is a very sensitive guy and this is really taking him through the ringer I think most of it is having to explain everything to his friends. Especially since he has never told them that my husband is his stepdad and they look alike.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
25 Oct 06
Who wants to change the child's name and why? If there is a valid reason then possibly the Judge will allow it but if it is something to do with one of the parents, then it might not be allowed.
@tigerlily (12)
• United States
25 Oct 06
My son has come to us and wants it changed he has been using the name since he was 5 and is now almost 15. In his high school he cannot go by that name and has to go by his legal name and he is coming home depressed and crying because he has to explain to all his friends why his name is different than what they are used too. We had to get counseling and he is currently on medication for depression because he feels the judge does not want him to belong to our family. I am taking him with me when we actually go in again.
@tigerlily (12)
• United States
26 Oct 06
I agree with you too. I plan on taking him with me. Its tomorrow so hopefully all goes well thanks for all your comments.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
25 Oct 06
I think it would be a good idea for your son to go along to the next hearing. He can ask if he can say why he wants to legally change his name and your son should just tell the Judge the truth. He can also 'admit' to being nervous as it would only be a normal reaction. It might also help your son's case if you can get some sort of support in the form of either a letter or personal appearance from the Counsellor and Doctor.
@BROWNEYEZ (447)
• United States
26 Oct 06
NAME CHANGE IS ONLY GOOD IF YOU DO IT IN THE BEGINNING OR IF IT BECAUSE YOU ARE INDANGER AND NEED TO CHANGE YOURS AND YOUR CHILDS NAME
@carabear (167)
• United States
13 Nov 06
Well most judge's don't want to hear why it's a good idea for little Tommy or Suzie who see their daddy a lot and whose daddy pay's child support like a good guy to have their last name changed to that of mommy's new husband. They typically don't think that's ever in the best interest of the child, after all, the child already has a name, plus whats to say that the marriage will last? However, if daddy/mommy is never around the other parent stands a good chance of getting the name change if they can demonstrate a normal stable relationship and can show that it would help the child feel like they would "fit" in better if their name was the same.
