Judge grants petition to add ‘Connor’ to child’s surname after family-court hearing

The family-court petition to add a second surname was granted after the court considered statutory factors and sworn statements from the record. Counsel for the parties argued whether the court must assess only existing case law or broader statutory factors; the judge concluded the verified petition and supporting affidavit provided a sufficient basis to act and said he would enter findings and an order granting the name change.

The respondent (Mr. Honeycutt) testified and urged the court to delay action until he could obtain new counsel or be released from custody to participate more fully. The court considered the child’s wishes as reported and the statutory best-interest factors, including interaction and relationship with the parent and custodians. The judge noted the child’s adjustment and the de facto custodians’ standing and concluded the petitioners had met the standard to add the name.

The judge announced on the record that he would order the name change and that the resulting order would be final and appealable; counsel were invited to submit proposed findings of fact to the court’s order.

Next steps: the court will issue a written order with findings of fact and the name change; the respondent retains appeal rights and may seek new counsel for appellate review.