J.S. v. D.M.

The opinion of the court was delivered by

ARIEL A. RODRÍGUEZ, J.A.D.

We affirm the Family Part’s order denying D.M.’s (father) application to change the surname of his daughter, requiring that mother and father confer and agree upon major decisions affecting the daughter, and establishing a flexible visitation schedule which requires communication and agreement between the parents.

D.M. and J.S. (mother) are the parents of a four-year old girl. They have never been married. The child was conceived during a short-term relationship which ended after her birth. Since her birth, the child has lived…