Shockey v. Ohler is an unpublished April 2026 opinion from the Court of Appeals. Father filed a name change action which the family court denied. After he appealed, Mother retained me to defend the appeal.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the family court. It found that Father had not made a request for a hyphenated last name to the lower court so he could not raise that issue for the first time on appeal.

The Court of Appeals found Father failed to show that the preponderance of the evidence favored changing the child’s last name. It noted Mother had primary physical custody and final decision-making authority and Child primarily lived with Mother, Mother’s parents, and Child’s half-sibling, all of whom shared Mother’s surname, whereas Father lived alone with much of his family residing out of state. Accordingly, it held Father had not shown that changing the Child’s surname was in the Child’s best interest.

Put Mr. Forman’s experience, knowledge, and dedication to your service for any of your South Carolina family law needs.

Recent Blog Posts

Court of Appeals holds magistrate courts have jurisdiction to hear spouses’ requests for restraining orders

On May 13, 2026, the South Carolina Court of Appeals, in the case of Major v. Major, held that the magistrate courts have

[ + ] Read More

South Carolina Supreme Court holds results of a penile plethysmograph (PPG) test are inadmissible as unreliable

In 2024, the South Carolina Court of Appeals, in the case of In the Matter of Shawn T. Daily, 443 S.C. 557, 905

[ + ] Read More

Should you fight?

A sizable portion of folks contacting my office seeking representation are seeking an attorney who is “a fighter.”  They will often use canine

[ + ] Read More