Logo
    • Education
      • Pre-School
      • Primary Schools Directory
      • Primary Schools Articles
      • P1 Registration
      • DSA
      • PSLE
      • Secondary
      • Tertiary
      • Special Needs
    • Lifestyle
      • Well-being
    • Activities
      • Events
    • Enrichment & Services
      • Find A Service Provider
      • Enrichment Articles
      • Enrichment Services
      • Tuition Centre/Private Tutor
      • Infant Care/ Childcare / Student Care Centre
      • Kindergarten/Preschool
      • Private Institutions and International Schools
      • Special Needs
      • Indoor & Outdoor Playgrounds
      • Paediatrics
      • Neonatal Care
    • Forum
    • ASKQ
    • Register
    • Login

    Anyone changed surname for their kids after divorce

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Relationships
    29 Posts 13 Posters 13.1k Views 1 Watching
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • P Offline
      pirate
      last edited by

      candy_floss:
      My spouse-to-be is rather serious on the idea of them following his surname and is also willing to legally adopt them, and suggesting sole custody, even though it means lost of child maintenance. But my worry is still the same, it still need my ex consent right ? We are not in talking terms, only my kids does that occasionally. He sees them once every 3 months on average for dinner. He is never interested in their life and well being at all.

      Yes, you do. Fathers have parental rights too. That's why in this case the court ordered joint custody. You can't just \"buy\" over that right by giving up child maintenance without his agreement.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • H Offline
        hercules
        last edited by

        It sets me thinking on the reasons of why people want to change children’s surname after they get remarried. (I tend to think the main reason for the change is to ‘retaliate’ against ex spouse most of the time.)


        Such change benefits the adults or benefits the children or benefits everyone?

        Such change makes it convenient for the adults or for the kids or for the family as a whole?

        If don’t change will be inconvenienced and probably bring embarrassment or?

        Can someone pls enlighten me what are the benefits of having a surname change and who are benefiting from such a change?

        A surname is such an important thing for Chinese (and perhaps other races too). Must weigh carefully before making the move.

        If I were the ex-spouse, I will be agreeable to let my ex-spouse change to avoid any ugly fighting that may hurt the children.

        If I were the one who intends to change, then i will drop the idea completely if I have a feeling that my ex will disagree and probably will kick up a big fuss that may hurt the children. My new spouse will not have much say in this matter as he may not know the complexity involved in the change completely as I do.

        Children’s feelings must be given the topmost considerations, never about the mum or about the dad or about the stepparent in this kind of divorced family cases.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • I Offline
          Imami
          last edited by

          If I were to divorce, then remarry and want to change my child’s surname to my new spouse’s surname, it would be because I hope to hide the fact that my new husband is not the biological father of my child. I think when the child is still young, there will be many situations where you need parents’ consent, signature information etc. Even in wedding invitation cards.


          I once received a wedding invitation in which the bride’s father is of a different surname from the bride. The awkward moment came when someone pointed it out, thinking that it was a typo.

          But then again, changing surnames are just formality. What is in substance is more important - whether the new father and child have really bonded.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • C Offline
            crony.026118in.026118ksp
            last edited by

            Whatever surname you change the children’s to, one of these days when they are old enough to seek their own root, they will most likely change it back to his / hers original biological surname


            Changing surname really is merely cosmetic and for the convenience of and camouflage by the parents and step parents. Nobody can hide the truths.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • NebbermindN Offline
              Nebbermind
              last edited by

              Divorce and remarrying is such common thing these days and so what is there to hide?

              If people want to talk behind your back, they will…even more juicy if it appears that someone is trying to hide the facts.
              Whatever happened between the adults should not change the relationship between the kids and the parents. The kids should still honour and respect both unless something terrible had happened.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • C Offline
                candy_floss
                last edited by

                Yep, I agree on the part that divorce shouldn’t affect the relationship with the parent and child. But somehow I just feel that since their father is so non-existant, then what’s the point of still holding on the surname ? For e.g, they only see him less than 5 times a year, never get involved in their upbringing, dont even know which sec sch my elder one goes to etc…


                Sigh…

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • C Offline
                  CuriousHippo
                  last edited by

                  candy_floss, firstly, is the change a must for u and ur future spouse? If it is a must, go ahead and do the necessary paper work. And if ur previous spouse rejected to give the compulsory consent, then accept the situation.


                  To me, I never think surname is important at all! Most important is the health, safety and values of my child. As I always remind my child, don’t lose sight of what is important!

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • NebbermindN Offline
                    Nebbermind
                    last edited by

                    Yeah, I’m saying this coz I am attached to my kids. Your husband may jolly well consent to the change. It’s really between you and your husband, and of course, the kids if they really wish to.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • I Offline
                      Imami
                      last edited by

                      Nebbermind:
                      Divorce and remarrying is such common thing these days and so what is there to hide?

                      If people want to talk behind your back, they will...even more juicy if it appears that someone is trying to hide the facts.
                      Whatever happened between the adults should not change the relationship between the kids and the parents. The kids should still honour and respect both unless something terrible had happened.
                      Common meh? All in, I only know one ex colleague who is a divorcee.

                      I don't think it is just hiding the facts per se. I see it as the parents trying to stoo people from asking/ commenting for fear that it may hurt the kids. Kids are kids, how will they know their parents' separation are not their fault? Will hearing from the horses' mouth really convince them? I don't think so.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • NebbermindN Offline
                        Nebbermind
                        last edited by

                        My office quite a few divorcee leh. It’s not such a taboo as it used to be

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0

                        Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.

                        Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.

                        With your input, this post could be even better 💗

                        Register Login
                        • 1
                        • 2
                        • 3
                        • 2 / 3
                        • First post
                          Last post



                        Online Users

                        Statistics

                        4

                        Online

                        210.6k

                        Users

                        34.2k

                        Topics

                        1.8m

                        Posts
                        Recent Topics
                        New to the KiasuParents forum? Tips and Tricks!
                        How do you maintain your relationship with your spouse?
                        Budgeting for tougher times ahead. What's yours?
                        SkillsFuture + anything related to upskilling/learning something new!
                        How much do you spend on the kids' tuition/enrichments?
                        DSA 2026
                        PSLE Discussions and Strategies

                          About Us Contact Us forum Terms of Service Privacy Policy