How do hyphnated names work? Just wondering, because I have a child out of wedlock from another man, so my child has my last name. When me and my fiance have kids I told him I wanted to give any kids we had my last name too, for my sons sake so that he doesnt feel like he is not part of the family, I am also keeping my last name when we get married.
Anyway, if I hyphanated the name would I/child be able to use just one of the names or both or how does that work?

Well, I had a simple answer but then I rearead the question. Let me make sure I understand what you are asking.

If you have your name hyphenated, are you wanting all of your children (including your child from the previous relationship) to use your hyphenated name?

I think she is saying:

I am Mary Smith.
My husband is Mike Jones.
Child 1 (from previous relationship) is John Smith.
Child 2 (with hubby) is Billy Smith-Jones.
Child 3 (with hubby) is Natasha Smith-Jones.

So, do children 2 & 3 ALWAYS have to use the full hyphenated names, or can they choose to just use one?

I think the answer is, that for any LEGAL purposes (from enrolling them in school to getting a driver's license to what will be on their BC's all the way up to their diplomas) they MUST use the full hyphenated names, as that is their LEGAL name.

On a personal note, I worried about this exact thing, not wanting my first child to feel "left out" because he has my maiden name and the other children will have my husband's last name. So I hyphenated MY name.

So I am Mary Smith-Jones.
Child 1 is John Smith.
Child 2 is Mike Jones.

Therefore, I have the same last name as my children (kind-of).

Turns out, there are so many families out there where the kids and parents have different names, it really didn't mean as much as I thought it would.

Its a funny question I know, right now I actually have a different last name as my son. I gave him my mother's madian name, which is the name I was born with. I am in the process of having my name changed back to what it was when I was born. (my full name, except my first. My named father insisted that my mother change my name, when I was almost 5.)

When my boyfriend and I where talking about last names we were first talking about changing my sons last name to his, as well as mine. (But) I have paid alot of money to have my name changed, so I dont want to turn around and change my name again. He says that he doesnt mind if all the kids have my last name. I kinda feel bad about it and I am sure that he would change his mind once the baby is born.

Well, you can't give your child your future husband's last name without consent from the child's father.

The rest of what you have asked is a personal decision between you and your future husband.

Its a funny question I know, right now I actually have a different last name as my son. I gave him my mother's madian name, which is the name I was born with. I am in the process of having my name changed back to what it was when I was born. (my full name, except my first. My named father insisted that my mother change my name, when I was almost 5.)

When my boyfriend and I where talking about last names we were first talking about changing my sons last name to his, as well as mine. (But) I have paid alot of money to have my name changed, so I dont want to turn around and change my name again. He says that he doesnt mind if all the kids have my last name. I kinda feel bad about it and I am sure that he would change his mind once the baby is born.

I don't think you can legally change your son's name without permission of his legal father. Where does he fit in the situation?

So -- Child 1's last name and your last name are the same (we'll just pretend your name change has successfully gone through for the sake of simplicity). And you wish to hyphenate the names of your future children to reflect YOUR name and your HUSBAND's name. Is that correct?

So -- Child 1 will be Smith, and future children will be Smith-Jones... is that correct?

So -- The answer is, the children with hyphenated names WILL have to use the WHOLE name for legal purposes.

Like I said, I was worried about the same issue, with my children having different last names. But so far, there really is no issue. Like I said, it's pretty common for kids to have different last names from their parents (and their siblings). I decided that I will let my son decide how he feels about the issue as he gets older.

A rose by any other name......:D

My sons biological father has never been in the picture and I am very sure that he never will be. I have been with my current boy friend since I was about 3 weeks pregnant.
(Because) Me and my current boy friend had been friends for years, and during the time. My x and I were together, he doesn't believe my son is his. Which if fine with both my Boy Friend and I because we have been raising him together, and since he was there for the whole pregnancy, and birth and ever since, he has always concidered my son his.
There is no father listed on the BC, and the bio-dad has never seen asked or had anything to do with my son. So I dont need any permission from him for anything.
We thought lots of times about adding my Boy friend to my sons BC and changing his name and we may still do this. Hyphanating my Boy friends name on to mine sounds like a neat idea. Never thought of doing that? I could still use my last name, I guess on everything. (I have always gone by the name I was origanally given, except for the leagal stuff.)

I don't think you can legally change your son's name without permission of his legal father. Where does he fit in the situation?

So -- Child 1's last name and your last name are the same (we'll just pretend your name change has successfully gone through for the sake of simplicity). And you wish to hyphenate the names of your future children to reflect YOUR name and your HUSBAND's name. Is that correct?

So -- Child 1 will be Smith, and future children will be Smith-Jones... is that correct?

So -- The answer is, the children with hyphenated names WILL have to use the WHOLE name for legal purposes.

Like I said, I was worried about the same issue, with my children having different last names. But so far, there really is no issue. Like I said, it's pretty common for kids to have different last names from their parents (and their siblings). I decided that I will let my son decide how he feels about the issue as he gets older.

Umm, yeah something like that.
I just think that if I hyphanate the name it will be too long. If they could use one or the other like in school, and what not that is fine. If they would have to write down the whole last name every time then it would be really long. *'*******-******* to me that is a long last name. I know my niece has struggled with her long last name and that is why I ask.

If you want your son to have your bf's name and you want your bf to be on BC as the father, he will need to adopt once you are married. He cannot just sign an affidavit of paternity as you and he both know he is NOT the father, and signing the AoP would be fraud.

It's not quite as simple as you want to think it is. At any time until your son is 18, his bio father can file to establish paternity and custody/visitation. You have the right to file to establish legal paternity and child support for the same time period.

My sons biological father has never been in the picture and I am very sure that he never will be. I have been with my current boy friend since I was about 3 weeks pregnant.
(Because) Me and my current boy friend had been friends for years, and during the time. My x and I were together, he doesn't believe my son is his. Which if fine with both my Boy Friend and I because we have been raising him together, and since he was there for the whole pregnancy, and birth and ever since, he has always concidered my son his.
There is no father listed on the BC, and the bio-dad has never seen asked or had anything to do with my son. So I dont need any permission from him for anything.

That's actually not true. Just becasue he is not on the BC and hasn't been there doens't mean he has no rights. I know, it sounds like crap, but it is true. Please trust me when I say this. I thought I was 100% in control. And man was I WRONG! Courts do not allow for one parent to decide that the other is not a factor in the child's life. Unless you have his rights terminated, he can come into your son's life anytime before his 18th birthday, and a court will alomsot always side with him.

We thought lots of times about adding my Boy friend to my sons BC and changing his name and we may still do this. Hyphanating my Boy friends name on to mine sounds like a neat idea. Never thought of doing that? I could still use my last name, I guess on everything. (I have always gone by the name I was origanally given, except for the leagal stuff.)

Woa there -- don't get into something you could seriously regret!

If you put your BF's name on the BC, that is fraud. If at anytime the bio-father comes back (and belive me when I say even the biggest losers can reappear) and sues for a paternity finding, you could end up in serious trouble.

The only legal way to make your bf your son's legal father is to successfully terminate bio-dad's rights, then have bf adopt. You will probably need to be married for at least a year before this is possible.

Umm, yeah something like that.
I just think that if I hyphanate the name it will be too long. If they could use one or the other like in school, and what not that is fine. If they would have to write down the whole last name every time then it would be really long. *'*******-******* to me that is a long last name. I know my niece has struggled with her long last name and that is why I ask.

You can give them your name as a middle name (no hyphen), or give them four names.

Like Mike Smith Jones as his full name, or, if you prefer a regular middle name, then Mike Jonathan Smith Jones. Then they would only use the last name, but would still have your name. I know a lot of people who have done this.

Ok, well it was just a thought. I dont really care if there is a father on my son's Bith Certificate, because he knows who his dad is. I have no need to get child support, because my Boy Friend and I make plenty of money. I want nothing to do with my x. He doesnt believe that my son is biologically his anyway. So it wouldnt do me any good.