Keep in mind that, even if you do change your children's last name, you won't be changing the legally recognized identity of their father. Nor will a name change affect the rights or duties of either parent regarding visitation, child support or rights of inheritance. Changes such as these occur only if the parental roles are altered by court order -- for example, a new custody decree or a legal stepparent adoption. If your new spouse adopts your child through a stepparent adoption, the child's name can be changed as part of that procedure. See Nolo's How to Do Your Own Adoption in California: A Guide for Stepparents and Domestic Partners (available December 1, 2003).