I have been a single mother since I was 4 months pregnant. The father decided to break our engagement and abandon myself and his unborn child and make no contact until one week after she was delivered. Of course it was hard to welcome him back(we aren't together but he visits her on the weekends) and we have had many struggles in the past 16 months. We are now at the point of setting up a visitation schedule. While reading over the agreement, I noticed that there was a clause stating that "both parties agree to change the child's name to Smith-Brown*". My daughter currently has my last name and that is what is on her birth certificate. Can they make me change her name? I don't feel comfortable with a hyphenated name. I live in Ohio and I am unsure of how a judge would rule in this situation. I am willing to go to court and fight this if I have to, but of course I don't want this to get ugly or cost a ton of money I would rather put away for my daughter! I would appreciate any advise/ similar stories to help ease my mind!

If your surname is on her birth certificate then I don't see it being allowed to be changed. Did you agree to the hyphenated name? If you didn't then make sure they know you didn't. I'm sorry I can't be much help, I don't really know the laws in America, but I would advise getting in contact with a law body.

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Originally Posted by KaishaJayne

If your surname is on her birth certificate then I don't see it being allowed to be changed. Did you agree to the hyphenated name? If you didn't then make sure they know you didn't. I'm sorry I can't be much help, I don't really know the laws in America, but I would advise getting in contact with a law body.

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Hello-

Thank you for your insight! I did not agree to any name change and her name is my surname on the birth certificate. My lawyer thinks they can make me hyphenate it, but I would like to fight it!

If your Lawyer thinks that, then that will probably happen... I would get a new Lawyer
I used to work in a Law Firm, and if you get a good enough attorney, he/she will get whatever u need done... without hesitation

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Originally Posted by bananagirl

Hello-

Thank you for your insight! I did not agree to any name change and her name is my surname on the birth certificate. My lawyer thinks they can make me hyphenate it, but I would like to fight it!

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If you didn't agree to that it says, then what is written is rubbish and surely you can fight for that. If your lawyer does think that, then research into getting someone who WILL fight your case and knows what you want :)