What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? SC
Basically I'm looking to change the name of my eldest child. I am her father listed on her birth certificate and my wife (my daughter's mother) agrees that her name needs to be changed. Currently her last name is my last name hyphenated with my wife's maiden name since we had her before we got married. All we are trying to do is drop my wife's maiden name off her last name so it will be just mine. I've gone to Name Change Forms with Detailed Filing Instructions.* Legally Change Your Name.* 100% Guaranteed. to look up the law in SC and it states:
I have written a letter on behalf of myself and my wife to petition our county family court for the name change, explaining the reasons and giving them the info on my daughter. Then a few weeks later they send me a letter back saying I need to consult an attorney.
Why can't they just help me out by giving me more information if I'm doing it wrong. I can't afford to pay an attorney a lot of money to do something that should be as simple as changing the last name of my own child.
Can anyone that is familiar with name changes of a minor give me some guidance? Thanks.
Jake
Basically I'm looking to change the name of my eldest child. I am her father listed on her birth certificate and my wife (my daughter's mother) agrees that her name needs to be changed. Currently her last name is my last name hyphenated with my wife's maiden name since we had her before we got married. All we are trying to do is drop my wife's maiden name off her last name so it will be just mine. I've gone to Name Change Forms with Detailed Filing Instructions.* Legally Change Your Name.* 100% Guaranteed. to look up the law in SC and it states:
.CHAPTER 49. CHANGE OF NAME
SECTION 15-49-10. Application for change of name.
(A) A person who desires to change his name may petition, in writing, a family court judge in the appropriate circuit, setting forth the reason for the change, his age, his place of residence and birth, and the name by which he desires to be known.
(B) A parent who desires to change the name of his minor child may petition, in writing, a family court judge in the appropriate circuit. The other parent, if there is not one then the child, must be named as a party in the action unless waived by the court. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child. The court shall grant the petition if it finds that it is in the best interest of the child.
SECTION 15-49-20. Court shall exercise discretion.
Upon such petition and the reason therein contained, the judge shall determine and grant or refuse the prayer thereof, as to him shall appear proper, having a due regard to the true interest of the petitioner
I have written a letter on behalf of myself and my wife to petition our county family court for the name change, explaining the reasons and giving them the info on my daughter. Then a few weeks later they send me a letter back saying I need to consult an attorney.
Why can't they just help me out by giving me more information if I'm doing it wrong. I can't afford to pay an attorney a lot of money to do something that should be as simple as changing the last name of my own child.
Can anyone that is familiar with name changes of a minor give me some guidance? Thanks.
Jake