name change

[whatnow22]

thanks for telling me how to reopen the thread. I deleted the other one to keep everything in one area. This was my original question:

So we went to court over the name change. The judge stated that since I was contesting, it had to go in front of the family court judge and he couldn't rule on it.

So as of now, everything has stayed the same. What is the next step? I want to make sure I don't accidentally miss a court date.

It started off as a GD-XX-XXXXXX docket number and it looks like it was transferred to the same case number as our custody case.

I checked online and here is what it reads as the last entry

04/20/2011 Order of Court Dated 04/20/11. Ordered that this case is transferred to the Family Division at FD-XX-XXXXXX. M.J. Original filed at GD-XX-XXXXXX

How long will it take to get a court date? I understand I would be notified, but maybe am over paranoid about missing a date somehow.

You could have provided a link, at least:
https://forum.freeadvice.com/child-custody-visitation-37/name-change-546455.html

I'm not very familiar with the procedures in PA, but I would always start by asking the court clerk what it means and what the next step is. I would guess that you will actually have to request a hearing and it won't be scheduled automatically, but the clerk can tell you.

would it be better to go down there in person? I called the family court and spoke to the 3 separate divisions and the person that I spoke with stated they couldn't help cause it wasn't their department.

Also, I am not sure if it means anything, but I don't want another hearing. I am trying to prevent the name change so no further hearings would be beneficial to me. She filled out the paper work to have it transferred, but wasn't sure if it would be automatically scheduled or not.

 

[stealth2]

Thank you, whatnow - it makes it much easier for us when we can read updates in context!

 

[whatnow22]

no, thank you guys for all your help. I am going to head down to the court house if I can't get any answers from the phone. I know they take forever to schedule a court date, but just wanted to make sure I was there to contest it.

Also, on an unrelated note, our visitation was scheduled for short (3 hour) once a week and every other saturday. This was suppose to make for a better transition for our kid in order for us to bond more before we move to more frequent visitation. Also did this to show my willingness to co-parent and help make my ex feel more comfortable and giving her a graduated period on being away from our kid during a visit.

I have done approx 5 visits so far. Last night during my visit, I went to say goodbye and give her a high five like we also do, she pulled away. When I asked her what was wrong, she started to say she wasn't allowed. At this point, my ex came in the room telling our kid she has to take a bath. We she spit out what she said and right in front of my ex and her mother(gma), she said "mommy and grandma said I am not allowed to give you a high five"

After she said that, my ex turned to her and said "you can give him a high five, I was talking about strangers at the store"

The reason the gma isnt allowed to be at the house during visits was the barrage of negative comments towards me and her interference with my visit, so I am not sure if I should really be concerned or if I am just over reacting. Also, what should I do at this point.

 

[CJane]

Also, what should I do at this point.

Personally? I think you're overreacting. And what you should 'do' is continue with the visits as agreed.

Also, I am not sure if it means anything, but I don't want another hearing. I am trying to prevent the name change so no further hearings would be beneficial to me.

How do you expect the court to render a decision w/out holding a hearing?

 

[whatnow22]

Personally? I think you're overreacting. And what you should 'do' is continue with the visits as agreed.



How do you expect the court to render a decision w/out holding a hearing?

ok, well I will let that go. I was just a little upset to hear that. I won't mention it.

As for the decision making, our kids last name is what I want it to be. It's been her last name since birth. Maybe I assume wrong, but I figured her legal name would be the birth name on the BC until the courts rule otherwise. No hearing, no name change?

 

[TheGeekess]

ok, well I will let that go. I was just a little upset to hear that. I won't mention it.

As for the decision making, our kids last name is what I want it to be. It's been her last name since birth. Maybe I assume wrong, but I figured her legal name would be the birth name on the BC until the courts rule otherwise. No hearing, no name change?

Is there a pending custody/visitation hearing/case? If so, the name change has been added to that custody/visitation case, as per the judge's order and it should all be heard at that time.

 

[whatnow22]

Is there a pending custody/visitation hearing/case? If so, the name change has been added to that custody/visitation case, as per the judge's order and it should all be heard at that time.

I assume we always have an OPEN custody/visitation case, but I could be wrong.
We just got done with a new mediation agreement last month. At this time, there was no additional court/mediation dates on the calendar.

However, the name change filing was transferred to the same case number as our custody/visitation