Herdman v. Schiffman

BIRD, C. J., Concurring.

I agree with the rule announced by the majority that a “child’s surname should be decided according to the best interests of the child.” (Maj. opn., at p. 642.) However, I am concerned about the lack of a clear jurisdictional basis for the trial court’s modification of a child’s name in the course of a dissolution of marriage. In such proceeding, “the superior court has jurisdiction to inquire into and render such judgments and make such orders as are appropriate concerning the status of the marriage, the custody and support of minor children of the marriage, the…