Maybe you can offer some advice?
My baby daughter has my surname, as this was my preference. Her father, who is not my partner and wasn't at the time she was born, is pressuring me to change her name to include his surname in some form. There are no other children on either side and neither of us have ever been married.
I am not inclined to do so for a whole host of reasons.
- Her 1st name is already a hyphenated name and I do not want a middle name on top(for example Elsa-Mae, Mary-Jane etc...)
- I chose a pretty, feminine and simple name for her. It always gets so many compliments. We (my extended family) love it. Adding in his surname as a 'middle name' really won't trip off the tongue!
- There would be so many documents and registrations to change
- She will always be 'know as' my name anyway, as I am her main carer, so is it really worth all the hassle
- I would like her to have a simple unfussy name that is the same as her mum (me!) and all her cousins. Surley I don't need to justify my choice to anyone?
He is really becoming a pain now and upsetting me. He sends me constant emails and brings it up when he is visiting etc...
Ultimately I do not want to change her name and unless I wake up one day not caring either way I am not going to let this happen.
Can he force me? Or waste everyone's time trying? He seems to have endless resources to put into this. I am concentrating on looking after my daughter :)