Name Change

questions & answers

Question: My dad hasn't been apart of my life for 3 years and lives out of state.My mom has sole custody of me and I want to change my last name to my mom's maiden name. Can my sister and I have our mom change our name and does my dad need to approve it since mom has sole custody?

Answer: Typically, in a name change situation for a minor, it is simpler for the courts to get consent from both parents. However, if one parent will not sign the consent, then you may serve the petition upon him/her. If there is no objection in writing or in person, the court will typically approve the name change. If the other parent does object, the court is less likely, especially if the other parent has maintained a relationship with the child. For more information, you may want to take a look at the name change article. 

QUESTIONS

  • My dad hasn't been apart of my life for 3 years and lives out of state.My mom has sole custody of me and I want to change my last name to my mom's maiden name. Can my sister and I have our mom change our name and does my dad need to approve it since mom has sole custody?

STORIES

LegalLEARN

YOUR FEEDBACK IS NEEDED

FIND LEGAL HELP

  • Please select your county of residence below.

    County:
     

OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES

  • State Bar of Arizona
    www.azbar.org
  • Maricopa County Bar
    www.maricopabar.org
    Referral number 602-257-4434
  • Pima County Bar
    www.pimacountybar.org
    Referral number 520-623-4625
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    800-799-7233
  • Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center
    866-553-0893
  • Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
    Link

ORGANIZATIONS

Generic versions of the drug Cialis, sold as tadalafil, now available from many manufacturers.