baby's name?

[joycrick]

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

Hello, I am an 18 year old father of a newborn baby girl. My 17 year old gf and I broke up when she was approx 3 months along. Just some background - we broke up because she cheated on me. Not a supposition; she admitted it.

Anyway, I had been taking her to all of her doctor appts until her 7th month when we had a disagreement about custody. I asked her for one week with her and one week with me. She disagreed and cut off pretty much all contact.

The baby was born on 10-22. She had checked into the hospital confidentially so I wouldn't know. It just happened that my aunt was visiting at the hospital and saw her.

She is telling me that she's not going to let me see her, and she won't tell me her name. I've spoken with court services (before the babe was born) and they told me I needed the baby's birth date and name to file for a paternity test, custody, and visitation.

Now the questions: Do I have to have the baby's full name? Or just her last? If I give the incorrect name, will my petition be denied (I have a guess about what she was going to name her)? Any suggestions on how to find out the baby's name?

PS..... I'm almost 100% certain this is my baby, but it hasn't been determined by test, court, etc....

Thanks for any and all suggestions.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[CJane]

I'm pretty sure that whoever you spoke to at court services was incorrect.

You can file saying "child born to MOM'S NAME, on or about XX/XX/XXXX"

That should suffice.

 

[joycrick]

Thanks CJane. I hope you are correct. I have an appt Thursday. I'm filing in Nelson County, Va. Does this make a difference?

 

[CJane]

Thanks CJane. I hope you are correct. I have an appt Thursday. I'm filing in Nelson County, Va. Does this make a difference?

Shouldn't. As an unmarried person, you can't be expected to know the exact date of birth/name of a child when you weren't there to witness said birth/naming.

 

[joycrick]

Hello all,
I was wondering if any of the other seniors had an opinion on this..... I spoke to Augusta County court services (Nelson County was closed) today and they said they "preferred" to have the babies name.

That maybe I should wait a couple of weeks and see if the name surfaced. I have the mother's name, birthday, social security #, address.

Do I really need the baby's name if she refuses to give it to me?

 

[Isis1]

Hello all,
I was wondering if any of the other seniors had an opinion on this..... I spoke to Augusta County court services (Nelson County was closed) today and they said they "preferred" to have the babies name.

That maybe I should wait a couple of weeks and see if the name surfaced. I have the mother's name, birthday, social security #, address.

Do I really need the baby's name if she refuses to give it to me?

i'd still file. in mom's reponse, she will be required to fill in the baby's name on her forms. there's always amending to include the baby's name later.

 

[CJane]

The court "preferring" the baby's name is not the same as requiring the baby's name.

File now, as I outlined for you. They cannot refuse to let you file.

 

[stealth2]

I have to say that it is refreshing to have a young parent actually posting for himself, in coherent English, without going all postal.

Congrats, Dad!

 

[joycrick]

Thanks so much for everyone's replies. I will update after the appt.

 

[waitinMd]

can you turn on your PMs??

 

[joycrick]

they're on now.

 

[joycrick]

Well, I went to file for paternity, custody, and visitation on Thursday. Ex and her mother were there also. (It's open intake on Thursdays) They were there to file for custody. Mothers don't have to file, correct? She already has custody? They did file some sort of papers, though. I'm guessing child support; which is fine by me. I WANT to help take care of her (baby).

To confirm all of the seniors answers concerning whether I needed the baby's name - I did not. However, I did have a guess, so when the intake officer typed in my guess, it was correct. And because ex had filed her case minutes before mine, the baby's full name popped up in the system. So, a week after she's born, I finally learned my baby girl's name. And of course, her last name isn't mine.

Now the questions:
After paternity has been established, can I file/sue to have the baby's last name changed?

Can someone explain the process for me? I'm assuming I'll get one summons date for the judge to (hopefully) order the paternity test. When that summons comes, will there be another summons with it - with a later date to do custody and visitation? Obviously, we can't do it all at once, correct? Typically, how long between the two dates?

On Tuesday, I called the ex's house to ask if/when she was going to let me see the baby. She wouldn't come to the phone. Couple minutes later, I get a text from an unknown number telling me "Don't call (ex) again or we'll get you for harassment. I WANT to see my baby, and I feel like I should continue making an effort to do so (and document it) to show the judge that I tried. Would calling every other day or so (once a day) be considered harassment?


Thank you so much for the information!!

 

[waitinMd]

you could have asked for copies of what she filed, it is public record.

you can petition that the baby have your last name. If Mom does not agree, then the judge will most likely hypenate it.

you will get notified to get the DNA done first. Then you have to wait for the results before you get a date for a hearing for custody/visitation and child support.

It can take awhile for that process. I'm sorry you have to wait so long.

 

[Hisbabygirl77]

At this point the mother does not have to speak to you. I think every other day and definetly everyday is pushing it in calling them. You will have your day in court and a judge is not going to hold it against you that you could not contact the mother. I would chill on the phone calls and texting.

 

[waitinMd]

I agree with the above post. Just the fact that you filed your motion shows you care..

your case will end up being combined with hers since she filed first.