About one million children are affected by divorces in the U.S. every single year. Also, 25% of children in the U.S. are born out of wedlock. Its easy to see why many people want to change their child's last name. Not to long ago courts ruled that a father had a right to have his child's last name kept the same as his long as he continued to act as a parent to the child. Now-a-days courts usually weigh these facts: how long the child's had their father's last name; how strong the relationship is with the mother and child and vice versa; and if the name change is necessary to be identified as part of the mother's or the father's family. There has been cases where one of the parents doesn't show up in court, and therefore the judge will rule in the other parent's favor. Sometimes the courts will rule what they feel is in the best interest of the child. Some U.S. state courts have adopted simplified child name change forms, these forms can also be found in child name change kits on many sites where you can download printable legal forms, these sites are made for do-it-yourselfers and are usually inexpensive (under $15). States that have not created simplified forms will still allow you to file a formal name change case, but the forms will have to be obtained from a legal forms business. Even after you successfully change your child's last name their birth certificate will remain the same, this is because they want some way to identify the father of the child. Child name changes do not interfere with child support, the times or schedules for visiting, and most obvious it does not interfere with your legal parental responsibilities your child is entitled to by law.
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