I legally changed my name two months ago. My mom had a child support hearing today and brought my final judgment. My father was very angry apparently, about the name change. He was asking why he wasn't notified and all this crazy stuff. He asked what can he do to fix it. This man has no custody over me. And now I'm afraid he's going to try and revert my name back.

We didn't notify him because he was mia for nearly 5 years and the judge who changed my name saw no problems with us not notifying him.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer!

I'm going to go out on a limb and say no, he can't. I'm pretty sure the limb is solid on this one. I'm sorry he isn't accepting your decision.

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Wolfy on October 28, 2014, 12:58:53 PM
I legally changed my name two months ago. My mom had a child support hearing today and brought my final judgment. My father was very angry apparently, about the name change. He was asking why he wasn't notified and all this crazy stuff. He asked what can he do to fix it. This man has no custody over me. And now I'm afraid he's going to try and revert my name back.

We didn't notify him because he was mia for nearly 5 years and the judge who changed my name saw no problems with us not notifying him.

It would be up to the judge. Your father can ask the court to change your name back, but the judge would have to agree. No reasonable judge would go along with it, but occasionally you have judges that aren't that reasonable.

I really hope he doesn't. Stay strong, Wolfy.

As Devlyn said I am not a legal professional but I would think especially after a judge said that your father didn't have to be informed that there is no way he can get it changed. Even if he could find a radical judge to try to change your name back, I would think that it would have to be an appeals judge. If you have a judge overturning the judgement of an equal level judge that would set a bad precedent.

Your father has very shaky legal grounds to even try to fight this. As an absentee parent he is fighting against both you and your legal guardians wishes, I would say that is darn near impossible for him to win.

I agree with the opinions above.   However, never underestimate the power and prevalence of stupidity.  A judge who does not like transgender people might change it back.  Keep your court documents close.  In the end you will be fine.

Hugs

Jen

Unless the father got an appeals judge involved which I really can't see happening, I don't see a judge risking their career over 1 father's complaint.

One judge overruling another judge of equal power risks being censured for overstepping their authority.

If he is not your legal guardian, he has about as much chance of getting your name changed as I do.

Also, getting a case to an appeals court will likely take over a year.  If you turn 18 before that ever happens then there is nothing to worry about.

If he's been missing in action for five years, it's probably the case that he won't have the brainpower to take any meaningful action. Most likely he'll just huff and puff in a generally useless manner - irritating as that is!

I wish you well.

Since your father has been MIA for so long, it's abandonment and he has no custody and although he could try to petition the court, but they would simply deny his petition since he has no custody of you. Also NJ Judges tend to favor the mother's side of cases anyway. Your name change petitions was published and the time has come and gone to contest it.

Not a lawyer, but your dad is derelict. The publishing period that accompanies a name change(in my state) is about the last time anyone has any input in the process. It's public info, for the sole intent of notifying people for a chance to weigh in if they have standing. Assuming the proccess was followed he missed the boat to stir up trouble even if he had standing.

Thank you everyone.

I'm not sure if he's trying to pull off anything or not. He actually sent my brother a letter while he was in boot camp which is insanely odd. I think he is just doing this stuff to try and favor the judge that somehow he is trying. Though he really isn't one bit. Hopefully everything is good and he doesn't attempt a petition.

This is kinda old but I can only see him having an opinion POSSIBLY over your last name if it was changed. Never underestimate stupidity though. You should be fine given the circumstances.