[Jewelryrepairprincess]

In 1994 my divorce was final and my daughter was 16 months old. Today she is 14. The past 7 years have been the worse for her dealing with her father. Once he went 2 years without talking to her, drug me to court, and won some visitation again. My daughter went into it with an open mind and open heart. And here we sit once again going back to court because he wants to drop his child support for lack of work. And once again he has gone almost a year with no contact whatsoever with my daughter. The last time she spoke to him he cussed her on Christmas Eve. She says she's done with him. She will be 15 next July and says she can't take anymore of his or his mothers screaming cussing rampages. Point is this, she wants to change her last name to the same as mine, which is my maiden name. As far as Birthdays, Christmas', Easter, etc. he doesn't send any cards, he doesn't call, no presents, it's as if the past 7 years he could care less if she is having a birthday or christmas.

Last month he filed a petition and had me served to have his child support dropped. Can he do that?

Can my daughter legally change her name without his consent?

In the original divorce decree I was awarded custody, control of the minor child with him only having visitation. He wanted the house, the boat, the car, the truck, etc. and I wanted my daughter and he signed her over. It was simple, he just wanted the material things.
I love my daughter and I want to do the right thing by her and I would love to share my maiden name with her.