I have no $$ for a laywer, where do i go to find info?

[Joy1978]

My daughter is going to be three months this month. My boyfriend at the time took a paternity test ( it was an over the mail swab test) and results came back negative. I didn't put anyone as the father on her certificate, and gave her my last name. My ex is going to take a paternity test as well (even though there was no one else). He said if she is his, i have to change her last name to his. Is this true? I want to keep her last name as mine. We were never married, and are trying to keep our conversations at least civil in order to communicate about my daughter. Also, someone asked if i was the custodial parent. Is that something that is automatic, or do i need to fill something out? If i don't will it hurt me in the future?

Help please, if you do not know how it works in California - Sacramento County, please point me in the right direction for information. I've tried the web, libraries, lawyers don't even want to talk to me because i don't want a case, i just need information.

Help please... thank you.

 

[Desi's mom]

He doesn't have the right to change her last name to his last name. That is a decision that you make as a parent at the time of birth. He has to jump through hoops to get that changed. On top of that there are some really good websites that you can go and research information on family law. Try just doing a search on Family Law and then in your state.
good luck
Desi's mom