Paternity?

Question

Not sure if any of you ladies know about paternity laws/rules, but I wanted to ask just in case. I became pregnant during a break from my boyfriend by another guy. I've since worked everything out with my SO and we're now married. What I want to know is will the baby take my husband's last name or the father's last name? Will it change after paternity is determined? No judgement please. I live in Mississippi, if that makes a difference.  Cross posted.

Answer

Does the baby's daddy know he is the father? Does he want to be a father? If he doesn't, ask him to voluntarily abdicate his parental rights via a TPR (termination of parental rights) hearing in court. You and your husband would then have sole custody of the child and not have to worry about names.

But if you don't want to go that route, you can give your child any last name.

Answer

The baby can take any last name. If you choose to put your husbands and then paternity proves it is the other guys...he will have to request and pay for the name change.

Answer

The baby's last name will be whatever you give it. If you're married to the (not father) guy, and you both have the same last name, why would your child have a different name? I'm not sure about the paternity leave in your state but your husband should be able to take paternity leave for your child.

Answer

The laws in each state are different. If the guy wants to sign away his rights, then your husband can adopt the baby. In most states, it's assumed the husband is the father until a paternity test proves otherwise.

Paternity?

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