How do I arrange a name and/or paternity change for a child in a different state and her "legal" father in a third state?

Question Details:

Sixteeen years ago in VA, a woman I had been with became pregnant. Her current boyfriend at the time married her and claimed the child. Shortly after it was born, she divorced him and left the state. I found her recently, she lives in MS with the child. We had a private DNA test done and I am the biological father. The child wants to change her surname to mine since she has had little contact with the "legal" father and doesn't want his name any more. I live in PA, the mother and daughter in MS, and the legal father in VA. How do we arrange to have the child's name changed?

Asked 11/19/2009 under Divorce, Marriage, Alimony | 146 View(s) | More Legal Topics