[raven7]

I live in Washington State and girls father wants me to take his last name off their name. He currently pays child support and is behind about $1,000. If I were to go along with the name change would that effect my girls child support? What effects will it have on my girls in the future?

[smoothy]

Nope... as long as there is a court order in effect he owes that money... including the arrears amount, that never goes away even after they are legal adults.

[ScottGem]

Plus whaty makes you think you can just change their names. That will require a court order.

[brachotelohai]

I don't believe changing the last name requires a court order if both parents agree and send in the correct forms to vital statistics with both parents' id's, info, and notarized documentation. I would confirm with vital statistics.

[JudyKayTee]

I dont believe changing the last name requires a court order if both parents agree and send in the correct forms to vital statistics with both parents' id's, info, and notarized documentation. I would confirm with vital statistics.

This is not correct -

[brachotelohai]

http://www.vlas.org/documents/489431...0-%20Child.pdf

States: 1. IF CHILD TO GET REAL FATHER'S NAME. If a child's parents were not married when the child was born, then the child may have been given the mother's last name. If both parents agree to change the child's last name to the name of the real father, then no court proceeding is required. Instead both parents must complete, under oath, an acknowledgement of paternity form available at your local health department.

[brachotelohai]

That's VA, I don't know how it would work in reverse or in other states. That's why I said may want to contact vital statistics in her area.

[brachotelohai]

And looking down further on that document, it does state that it would require a court hearing for the reverse, so I apologize, I was half right, but half wrong for your particular situation.

[JudyKayTee]

That's VA, I don't know how it would work in reverse or in other states. That's why I said may want to contact vital statistics in her area.

And here's the law in Washington State, where the OP resides: http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/doc...ateabbrev=/wa/

The question is whether the name change will effect child support. No, it will not. The name change procedure, while informative, was not asked.

[AK lawyer]

And here's the law in Washington State, where the OP resides: http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/doc...ateabbrev=/wa/
...

Note the part about "Common Law Name Change". Presumably that could apply in the case of a child as well. No court proceeding is required.

[Fr_Chuck]

A simple name change does not effect support, ( I assume the bio father thinks it will) so ask him why he wants it, and clearify with him it does not effect support.

If he is claiming he wants his name off, because he is not the real father, that is another issue

[JudyKayTee]

Note the part about "Common Law Name Change". Presumably that could apply in the case of a child as well. No court proceeding is required.

I read it - it refers to "you." I doubt a young child could file the necessary Affidavits.

Just my opinion but I would rather go through the Courts than pick a name now, change the child's name the next thing circumstances change.