Change of child's middle and last anme

[SolaireSolstice]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

My son was born 13 years ago, the father wanted nothing to do with him, so I gave our son my last name. (John Doe Momslastname)

Two years later, father returns, wants to be a part of child's life (and mine) and is for 4 years. Affidavit of paternity was filed, birth certificate was amended and child's last name became father's last name (John Doe Dadslastname). Father and I split up right before new birth certificate came in mail. This was the first name change, and the only one allowed without court order.

During a much heated custody and child support case, the name issue got dragged into it, and the settlement actually included that child's surname was to include both of our names. Court order was issued, child was given name John Doe Momslastname Dadslastname. I filed all the paperwork, changed SS card and school records. It was not bad, because I had a court order. Poor child ends up with 4 names. I was insane at the time apparently (not literally. l just can't believe I did that to the poor kid at this point)

Now the last name issue has come up again. Child is now 13. His last name is a mouthfull, 17 characters long. I'm no longer as angry as I was, and after all "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet", right? It's just a name, it confuses the child when he goes to write his last name. His father's mother is almost militant about wanting it to be father's last name. Father does whatever his mother says. I'm ok with it, child would like life to be simple.

I'd like to have it changed to John Mom Dad (remove his current middle name, use my last name as his middle name, and his father's last name as his last name). Can I do this myself? I'd need to file a court order to get it changed on his birth certificate AGAIN (4th name).

How do I get a court order? Believe me I know how to do the rest. I've done it enough times.

It's not about anyone not agreeing. Dad would like it and would sign what he needs to. I can do the leg work if I just had a breadcrumb trail to follow. Child would LOOOVE to have the simplicity of just one last name, so he'll write his part. I just don't know where to start and what to file where. I've found a website that can "help file the paperwork" but money is tight and I'd like to do it myself if I can.

Thanks for any help.

[CourtClerk]

The child's name ALREADY is John Momslastname Dadslastname. I know no where that MAKES you write your middle name. For the love of all that's holy, PLEASE don't make your child go through yet ANOTHER (4TH) name change because his parents are dysfunctional and can't make up their minds. I have a kid the same age as yours. I don't have ONE school paper that required him to write his first, middle and last name. Elementary school and Middle School diplomas both have firstname lastname. Where do you HAVE to (besides maybe your driver license and SS card) write your full complete name and if he's that lazy that he can't write a whole 17 letters, then your problems are bigger than his name. In fact, I don't think he's probably lazy, he has parents who make very bad decisions.

Besides, I'd like to meet the judge that would allow such a thing for the 4TH TIME.

4 name changes... sheesh.

[SolaireSolstice]

I realize his father and I have handled this entire thing poorly.

If the judge turns us down, fine. I can handle that, but I'd like to take it to the judge and let the JUDGE decide, if I knew how to get it to a judge.

[stealth2]

As I read the original post, I couldn't help but wonder - why can't s kid flippin' write "John Dadslastname"? What is wrong with Mom and Dad that this has to be a drama? Y'all are whackadoodled.

p.s. My original name - First Middle Last - is 16 letters. I have never had a physical problem writing it.

[IsabellaSoriano]

Originally Posted by stealth2

As I read the original post, I couldn't help but wonder - why can't s kid flippin' write "John Dadslastname"? What is wrong with Mom and Dad that this has to be a drama? Y'all are whackadoodled.

p.s. My original name - First Middle Last - is 16 letters. I have never had a physical problem writing it.

i've got to agree on this. all my 11 year old's legal paperwork says John Doe momslastname dadslastname, but he signs his name john dadslastname. doesn't bother me.

[Nativity]

This won't change things and I may be wrong but I think she was stating that the last name alone is 17 characters. Not including First & Middle.

[fairisfair]

the LEGAL answer is that as long as both you and dad agree, you should be able to have the name changed without much ado.

It should merely be a question of filing a petition and going to court.

As for 4 name changes never happening... tell it to Prince.

[xylene]

Originally Posted by fairisfair

the LEGAL answer is that as long as both you and dad agree, you should be able to have the name changed without much ado.

I think part of the problem is mom and dad don't agree on nothing and for that reason mom would rather not ask. And if asked, dad is presumed to be inclined to make a fuss.

[SolaireSolstice]

Actually, it's the opposite xylene. DAD (and Dad's mother) wants the name change to happen. He wants child to have his last name alone; having the middle name as my last name is his way of "throwing me a bone".

It's really just removing child's current middle name.

I want it no longer to be an issue, so I will go along with it just to keep the peace. I personally don't see what the big deal is either. Child can write his name however he wants as far as I'm concerned. He can pick either one, he can call himself "John whack-a-doodle", because apparently that's what both of his parents are.

And yes, last name alone is 17 characters (7 for mine, 10 for Dad's). Child tends to write just one of the last names, changing from one to the other, depending on what (or to who) he's writing. Child says he'd like it to be simple (meaning just to have one last name), and I'm fine with that. The original issue no longer seems as important as it was during the court battle 7 years ago.

I've done just a bit of research on it and it seems the petition needs to be filed in the district court of child's county, but I can't find online forms for it, though I've found online forms for other counties. I talked to Dad last night and told him that since it's important to him, I will agree to what he wants and either be there or sign, but HE needs to do the legwork on this (and pay the apparent $207 filing fee for the petition) because it's him that has the issue with the name.

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by SolaireSolstice

Actually, it's the opposite xylene. DAD (and Dad's mother) wants the name change to happen. He wants child to have his last name alone; having the middle name as my last name is his way of "throwing me a bone".

It's really just removing child's current middle name.

I want it no longer to be an issue, so I will go along with it just to keep the peace. I personally don't see what the big deal is either. Child can write his name however he wants as far as I'm concerned. He can pick either one, he can call himself "John whack-a-doodle", because apparently that's what both of his parents are.

And yes, last name alone is 17 characters (7 for mine, 10 for Dad's). Child tends to write just one of the last names, changing from one to the other, depending on what (or to who) he's writing. Child says he'd like it to be simple (meaning just to have one last name), and I'm fine with that. The original issue no longer seems as important as it was during the court battle 7 years ago.

I've done just a bit of research on it and it seems the petition needs to be filed in the district court of child's county, but I can't find online forms for it, though I've found online forms for other counties. I talked to Dad last night and told him that since it's important to him, I will agree to what he wants and either be there or sign, but HE needs to do the legwork on this (and pay the apparent $207 filing fee for the petition) because it's him that has the issue with the name.

I think that's a good position to take.

Otherwise, if its still important to the child when he becomes a legal adult, he can do it them, himself.