I am a mother to six wonderful kids, I divorced there dad about three years ago. I just got remarried about 8 months ago, but my new husband has been in there lives for almost three years. My ex-husband is not paying child support and is having little or no contact with the children, which is fine with them. My current husband and the kids are very close and all of them want to take his last name. My friend told me that I could have his last name added to theirs and they could use one or both. I was told that this was easy to do and doesn't require going in front of the judge or the other parents permission. I live in IL, can you help me find any info on this, is it true?

Someone told you wrong. It does require the other parents permission. If the other parent refuses, then you have to go before a judge, probably with a lawyer by your side.

Have you spoke to your ex about this?

As for their last names - they can use any name they want as long as they are not trying to commit a fraud.