In re the Marriage of Stoecklin

Mother and father were separated but still married when their son was born, and mother gave the child her own original last name, C. After entry of a judgment that dissolved their marriage and awarded legal custody to mother, father petitioned the trial court to change the child’s last name to his own last name, S. The trial court ordered the requested change by a supplemental judgment, which mother now appeals, asserting that the name change is not in the child’s best interest because mother is the custodial parent and father’s abusive conduct led to the marital dissolution. We conclude that…