Mother of minor filed petition to change the minor's legal last name from that of the minor's father (an inmate in Department of Corrections) to that of the minor's stepfather. Court erred in finding that mother failed to show by clear and convincing evidence that name change was necessary to serve best interests of minor. Minor's father had broken in to mother's apartment after they ended dating relationship, and held mother hostage there, at gunpoint; child, then age 3 1/2, was present during incident. Nearly all evidence presented at hearing supported granting the petition; all of the statutory factors weighed in favor of granting the petition, and name change is necessary to serve the minor's best interest. (HOLDRIDGE and O'BRIEN, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Name Change