My husband and I have been married since 2006 and monthly my son asks me when his Dad is going to adopt him so he can have the last name the rest of his family does. I did not list a father on the birth certificate because I don't know. I have been told by a lawyer that it has to be put in the newspaper stating that the "father" has so much time to come forward to be the father. I guess I don't understand the whole process. I live in Nebraska and like everyone times are tough. I don't have the money to pay a lawyer I just don't know what direction to go. The last time that I talked to any professional was almost 3 years ago and I know prices change. The only father my son knows is my husband. Any one got something for me to go on??

A name change is cheaper if it is about money, but the process of it being put in the paper is pretty standard in your circumstance

a name change is cheaper if it is about money, but the process of it being put in the paper is pretty standard in your circumstance

For a name change you still need to contact an attorney. Is that the first step you suggest? I would like to have this done by the end of the year. So are you saying it's a standard procedure to place the information in the papers??

Yes they do the same thing for divorces where they cannot locate one of the parties.

You're right, you'd still need an attorney but the total cost is usually a lot lower

The problem is to do anything you are going to need the permission of the bio father, so who is he, can he be found and contacted, it is much easier and a lot cheaper if you can just find him.

If not, you are going to have to file a notice in the correct legal section of specific news papers
(* this can be in the 1000 dollars plus range just for posting in paper)

Then that is only to nottify them of the court hearing.

You will need an attorney

As Chuck said, you will need to get the bio father to agree to either an adoption or the name change.

If you don't know the bio father, then you have to show you have made a good faith effort to contact that father to get permission. If you truly don't know who it is you will have to contact all possibilities to take a paternity test.