fathers right

[claassybird]

My grandson was born in Feb 04 and was registered in our family name, with my son named as the father. The mother and my son were never married and they split up 7 months later. The mother has now announced she is going to change the child's surname. She is upset because my son has just got engaged and is after revenge for him leaving her. She always thought they would get back together. Can she just go ahead and change his name or would my son have to give his permission? She has also withdrawn permission for our grandson to come on holiday with us later in the year because my son and his fiancee are coming as well. Can she do this

[Schlomo78]

Hi, she has to get his written permission to change his surname as my friend just had my goddaughters surname changed as her father isn't interested in her-he still had to sign saying he gave permission.
As for the holiday-its a shame but I think she can do pretty much what she wants there-unless they have a written agreement to state otherwise. Have had the same sort of problems with my partners ex and its just a real shame that some people are so spiteful their children have to suffer because of it!
Maybe you or your son can find a few answers on this site
http://www.fnf.org.uk/law/rgind.htm
we found it helpful, the only thing I can suggest in the future is that he gets to know his rights and asserts them.
I hope this helps!
:O)

[loza]

My nephew's mum did the same. They had been split up for 2 and a half years when my brother finally found someone else. She wasn't at all happy even though my brother always wanted her back but she never wanted him. She changed his name from my brother's to her own surname. She didn't need permission or anything signed and went straight ahead and did it. It isn't nice but having a name change isn't the worst thing that could of happened. however, her punsihing you by stopping you from seeing him is another matter. You can get grandparents rights! so make sure you go to your local citizens advice to do it all correctly. In all this the child will lose out, be very confused as to why his name has been changed as he gets older and why he has been stopped from contact with you x

[claassybird]

I would like to say thank you for the replies sent. After keeping a diary for 10 days of exactly when the boy is with his father and family we spoke to citizens advice . They advised us to ask mum again for permission and if it was still refused then to go to the family court. This would only take a couple of days and cost approx �180. We asked permission again and was refused but when she was told what we intended to do permission was given and a letter was written. Once again thanks.

[Ams6784]

hi there can first of all say im sorry that your having problems seeing your grandson some woman can be very funny when it comes to seperation, did you know that you also have rights as a blood related grandparent? no court in the land would stop you from seeing your grandson neither would they stop your son, as long as your sons name is on the childs birth certificate he has parental responsilbilites just basically the same right as the mother. in december 2003 the law changed which ment that if a father is named on a birth certificate he would have perental responiblity automatically wheather he was married to the childs mother or not i know this as my partner has 2 other children to someone else and what i have just wrote was copied from a solicitors letter we received. this means that the mother cant change the last name of her little boy without the consent of the father. can i recommend that your son seeks legal advice to keep contact with his son, but as far as stopping the little boy going on holiday with you if your son has agreed contact for these dates she cant stop it, let me know how you get on, i wish you all the best. xxx