ParentingBanter.com - View Single Post - Name change because parent not visiting child

**DrLith** · November 8th 06, 01:16 AM posted to alt.child-support,alt.support.divorce

wrote:
I have the sole physical custody of my minor child with the father
having the usual visitaion rights. I am a citizen of state of Georgia.
The father does provide child support. But he refuses to have any
relationship with his son. In these circumstances, it is very traumatic
for my child to bear his father's last name when he has never seen him.
Can I change his last name to my last name without the father's
approval. Since the father hasn't visited my child in over an year, can
this be considered abandonment. And can abandonment be a reason enough
for me to file for name change of my son. At the same time I do no want
to lose child support. Please suggest avenues for his name change.
Thanks in advance.

How old is your son? Unless I'm reading you wrong (first you say the
father has "never seen him," but then say the father hasn't visited "in
over a year"), your son must still be a baby. If that's the case, it's
both too early to tell whether it will be "traumatic" for your child to
bear his father's last name and whether the father will continue to be
estranged for the rest of the child's life. Especially if the father is
not very mature, he may come to realize the importance of a father-son
relationship as time passes.

If you still decide you want to change his last name, you'll have to
pursue the matter in court. You can petition for a name change for any
reason, but the judge will weigh the various factors involved and decide
"in the best interests of the child."