Donald J. v. Evna M.

Opinion

CHARGIN, J. * —

The principal issues presented by this case are: (1) a man’s right to bring an action for the purpose of obtaining a judicial determination that he is the natural father of a child bom out of wedlock, and (2) the nature and extent of the rights possessed by a natural father of a child bom out of wedlock to require that child to change its surname from that of its natural mother to that of its natural father, against the objection of the natural mother.

We recount the factual background of this litigation. Defendant Evna M. (hereafter referred to as defendant mother) gave…