Moon v. Marquez

Lavenski R. Smith, Justice.

Appellant, Stephanie Deeanna Moon (“Moon”), seeks reversal of a chancellor’s order modifying the surname of her daughter, “M.M.”, to that of the child’s natural father, Appellee David Marquez (“Marquez”). The chancellor entered the order following a hearing on appellee’s Petition to Modify Paternity Order. On appeal, appellant contends that the doctrine of res judicata should apply to bar a name-change petition subsequent to the initial paternity-determination proceeding. The court of appeals found that res judicata did not apply. It also upheld the chancellor’s…