my daughters last name

[sohypo]

ok ladies i would appreciate any feedback on this one...my daughter will be a year old this week. she has my ex's last name. he has not seen her in 5 weeks but is taking me to court for more vistiation. don't know why he is wasting his time and money. he is an alcoholic, does drugs and doesn't have a license. the most he will get out of it is his standard parenting time which is more than he has said he wanted. i am 22 weeks pregnant with his child now. (was taking birth control and it didn't work, super excited about having another baby even though it will be extra hard being a single mom of two girls). i do not want to give the one on the way my ex's last name. he has shown absolutely no interest in the baby and told me he didn't want kids ever and even said he doesn't think i am really pregnant. i am trying to change my daughters last name to mine but it seems like for now i need his consent before i can. what should i do ladies? i don't want my kids to have different last names but i have every intention to keep trying to change my daughters name to mine. would it be easier to change just one last name eventually and let the one on the way have mine now??

[conniejo75]

New baby your name. He would have petition court to change it.. and keep fighting to change your daughter name

[Tashia07]

In our political correct society changing a last name can be difficult, but if you are passionate about it don't let anything stop you from changing her last name!  it is better to change her name before she has a lot of records, such as school records and health information.  If you are able to prove he has been absent for the majority of her life a judge may choose in your favor and award the name change.  From watching friends going through name changes for themselves and their children, if you are more willing to still include his last name you will be more likely to change the child's name.  Two last names instead of one:  from Eden Grace Marshall to Eden Grace Marshall Reilly.  Your daughter would use your last name! Just something to think about.

[lnrmom]

I have two kids with two different last names. While it is a pain in the arse, its not a big deal. Its fairly common in this day and age. My suggestion though would be to petition the court now to change your daughters last name. You will need his permission. If they say no, or he doesn't agree... ask to have it hyphenated, then do the same with your youngest. That way they have the same, then you can just go by your last name and have his last name on legal documents only.