I have an 8 year old son. His biological father has not seen him since he was six weeks old. He has only paid about 5 weeks of court ordered child support and is $16,555 behind. My son has his father's last name and after eight years of no contact on the father's part, I would love to have his last name changed to mine. I do not particularly want him to sign over his rights but I just want him to change his last name. The last time we were in court, I asked him and he refused and I am sure he will if I asked him today. How can I legally change his last name without the father's agrrement?

You could try to go to court and have it changed against his will, but it does not always work out and it will likely be a legal battle. Courts are hesitant to do name changes when one parent rejects the idea, especially on a child who is already in school and is known by the name already.

What is the real reson behind the name change ? You have let it go this long.

More than likely you will not be able to change his name without the father's consent. If he is listed on the birth certificate, then you will have to get his permission before it can happen. Also, have you thought about how this will affect your son- he is known by this name and now you want to change it.