When I was about 16 - I decided I no longer wanted to be known as my (biological fathers) daughter - I no longer wanted to carry his name. I wanted nothing to do with him. My parents had been divorced since I was young. He was someone I wanted nothing to do with. My mother was now remarried and my step-dad spoke with a lawyer about giving me his name - which would require him adopting me. (I knew nothing of this until years later) The glitch was that, because my biological father was still alive, he would be required to give up his parental rights in order for the adoption/name change to happen. My parents decided apparently that it was not worth the 'fight' to make this happen and just let it go.

Perhaps, this person was in a similar predicament and due to a death was now able to have the adoption happen?

katamasmom