change my daughter's last name

What is the name of your state? California

I recently got married and since I'm changing my last name, (since my daughters last name is her dads whch does not pay child support) i want to change her last name to my husbands. Do I need her fathers approval do to so? What steps do I take to do so.

[rmet4nzkx]

If the ex is not paying child support and there is an order, enforce it, you can't just change her last name because you get remarried or he doesn't pay child support. If your new husband wants to adopt your child and the father relinquishes their rights, then the name can be changed or your child can petition to change the name as an adult. You may be able to petition to change the name but the dad will have to agree. TPR does not erase child support arrearages.

[Hisbabygirl77]

Why would you want to do that? My children's father does not give them much. He rarely visits hasn't paid a dime of the court ordered child support and only shows when it fits his schedule. Now saying that my children don't have much of a father and they do not receive much love or attention from him. One thing that they DO have is his name and to them that means so much. It is something they share with their daddy. When I remarried and explained to the kids that my last name was now something else my son asked me if that meant that their names would change as well. I told him no of course not you will still have your last name. He smiled and said good because it's daddy's last name. It may seem like no big deal to you because the father isn't involved or whatever. To a child though it is a link to the man that IS their father.

[carofl93]

I assumed that all states are like FL. My husband's divorce decree states that his daughter's last name can only be changed by his daughter when she is an adult and either marries or chooses to change it herself. I learn something new every day :P