Is name change mandatory?

[MaLiTh]

What is the name of your state? New York

In the case of an orphaned child, is it mandatory for the child's last name to be changed to that of the adoptive parents? The child in question is eight years old and wishes to keep the last name of his deceased parents.

 

[milspecgirl]

I'm not sure about your state, but I know in most it is no mandatory. My SD has 2 half brothers that were taken by the state and adopted out and they asked to have their last name changed (they are 9 and 8), but it was by no means mandatory