Update

[Butterflys Momm]

I'm in Ohio...

I'm just updating everyone who posted on my original post..(here's a link to it)...I locked it because people were being very rude with me and weren't really giving me the answers that I came on here looking for...they were bringing up other things....but anyways, here's the link to the original post so ya'll have somewhat of an idea what I'm talking about.

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=267431


I got her last name changed WITHOUT the help of many people who posted before. And I did it the way I thought was right, and everything WAS RIGHT! So everyone who told me what I was doing was illegal, ya'll must not have known the laws in Ohio.

I contacted him and told him of my actions of getting her last name changed to mine, and he willingly consented to it after I threatened to not give up on the matter and I'd take him to court and fight him. Three days after I contacted him, we met up at the probate court, and signed the application for a name change of a minor, after I left there, I went straight to the newspaper, and gave them the information they needed to publish in the newspaper (which came out in the news paper the following week, because I put it in my city paper that only comes out once a week and I had already missed the chance to have it in that week's paper) and 4 weeks later, her last name was changed to mine.

So for any of ya'll who said I NEEDED an attorney to help me do it because I couldn't do it on my own, and for any of ya'll who said what I was planning on doing was wrong and illegal, maybe you should brush up on your Ohio laws and see what IS legal and illegal before you start giving people FALSE information. And by the way...I did this ALL on my own WITHOUT the help of an attorney!!!

Thank you again to all who did help me though. You're advice was greatly appreciated!!!

PS...I am also in the process of starting to get his rights taken away, due to MORE things that have happened since the last time I was on here. I will be sure to fill everyone in when that process moves forward.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

The KEY owrd in all of this id that dad "CONSENTED" without that you would have needed an attorney. The troublesome part is that you don't realize why you need an attorney, because a name change is not what you need, you need support for your child and resources for your disability. The name change accomplished nothing of significance other than distract you from what you should be focusing on for both your child and yourself.

 

[MrsK]

Yeah I noticed that, too. The dad's consent is what kept you from having problems. Some people, huh?

 

[Butterflys Momm]

I was told by probate court that even if he hadn't consented to it, that I still wouldn't have needed an attorney as long as I could prove I had clear and convincing evidence that her last name should be changed to mine and the judge said I did.

Nothing has distracted me from focusing on both me and my child. I do not need an attorney for anything other than getting the father's rights taken away. As of October of 2005 I have been back to work because the doctors finally figured out what exactly went wrong and were able to fix it , and I continue to do great and get stronger every day. I do not need support for my child nor do I need resources for my disability.(I haven't had either one of them for the past 3 years, and I've made it this far, and I don't need it now) Everyone thought that I was just on SSI and public assistance because I was lazy and just didn't want to do what I had to do....well, everyone was WRONG, and I'm proving that now. I was on SSI because I HAD to be on it because I was unable to leave the house for long periods of time and sit for long periods of time (which being confinded to a wheelchair, I have no other choice if I was to go out and get a job at that point in time). There are times where people DO abuse the government assistance programs, and that is totally wrong, but there are certian times and circumstances where it is very helpful, and I am very greatful for them to be able to help me during the time I needed them. I'm doing so great now, that I'm in the process of getting a new wheelchair, and I'm able to pay what the insurance company won't be paying! Everything is going the way it should be now, and I couldn't be happier. My daughter is now in preschool, I'm getting married this summer, and I'm supporting both MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER!!!!

Again, thank you to everyone who actually helped me with my advice and pointed me in the right direction!

 

[Butterflys Momm]

I even have the paper sitting here right next to me and it says.....

"In a minor name change, if a parent does not consent, the applicant must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the name of the minor should be changed. This may require witnesses and evidence to be presented at a hearing. If you have any questions as to how to present your case, you should consult with an attorney. An attorney is not required, but may be helpful for your case."

 

[rmet4nzkx]

You still don't understand.
TPR only deprives your child of her father, it does nothing positive for the child.

 

[Butterflys Momm]

You still don't understand.
TPR only deprives your child of her father, it does nothing positive for the child.

It does something positive when the father has endangered her in the past and has sent me e-mails and has even said in front of her that he was going to hurt her if I by chance make him mad while she is in his care. I'm not depriving her of her father...he has already done that himself for the past 2 1/2 years by telling her that he's going to come and see her and then never show up. She's at the age now where she understands that, and she is very upset when he doesn't show up. Since he hasn't been in her life that much, she has started calling my fiance daddy, and when we explain to her who her daddy is, she says "no he's not, HE'S my daddy" and goes running into his arms. The father has been in jail 3 times since she has been born (even has 2 warrents out for his arrest at this time). He is even driving on suspended license as we speak for him not paying support. How is letting him take the child in his care when he could be thrown in jail at any point in time and letting him drive around with her in the car while his license are suspended something POSITIVE for the child?