My child will be 16 in November and wants to change her last name to my husband's ( her stepfather's) last name. Her biological father has m...

Question

My child will be 16 in November and wants to change her last name to my husband's ( her stepfather's) last name. Her biological father has made contact once in her life, never paid child support, and cannot be found. My daughter currently has my maiden name as her last name. Do I need to attempt to find her biological father for permission to change her last name or can I proceed?

Answer

You can proceed with a petition for a name change, but you may stir up opposition from the natural father.