It is not hard to change a name, and you don't need a reason. However, you do have to notify the child's father, and he can object if he wants to on the basis that he wishes the child to carry his last name for traditional reasons. The fact that he is active in the child's life weighs in his favor. You cannot complain that you are not getting child support from him if you have not gone after it. If he is not paying voluntarily, you need to open a case with the DA's office and they will enforce the child's right to support at no cost to you.
Answered on Jan 19th, 2015 at 7:40 PM