Half-sibling vs. Step-sibling

[angeleyzad]

What is the name of your state? ME

I'm curious which would be a stronger case, the father (NCP) wanting more time with our 2 children so that they have more time with their step-sister, or the mother (CP) wanting to keep the same schedule they have now, keeping the relationship strong between the 2 children and their half-brother? My ex (NCP) also lives 4 hours away, and is not married yet (happening this summer). I have been remarried for 4 years, and the half-brother is 6 months old. The 2 children in question are 5 and 7, and they are both very active with their half-brother. They go EOW with their father, plus alternating holidays and school vacations, plus 4 weeks in the summer, it has been like this for the past 5 years.

 

[casa]

What is the name of your state? ME

I'm curious which would be a stronger case, the father (NCP) wanting more time with our 2 children so that they have more time with their step-sister, or the mother (CP) wanting to keep the same schedule they have now, keeping the relationship strong between the 2 children and their half-brother? My ex (NCP) also lives 4 hours away, and is not married yet (happening this summer). I have been remarried for 4 years, and the half-brother is 6 months old. The 2 children in question are 5 and 7, and they are both very active with their half-brother. They go EOW with their father, plus alternating holidays and school vacations, plus 4 weeks in the summer, it has been like this for the past 5 years.

Neither. The CP has the advantage because #1 The children live with them, #2 "Status Quo" (meaning courts are loathe to change an existing court order without a significant change of circumstance), and #3 The 8 hour round trip for visitations leaves little room for mid-week visits/time.

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state? ME

I'm curious which would be a stronger case, the father (NCP) wanting more time with our 2 children so that they have more time with their step-sister, or the mother (CP) wanting to keep the same schedule they have now, keeping the relationship strong between the 2 children and their half-brother? My ex (NCP) also lives 4 hours away, and is not married yet (happening this summer). I have been remarried for 4 years, and the half-brother is 6 months old. The 2 children in question are 5 and 7, and they are both very active with their half-brother. They go EOW with their father, plus alternating holidays and school vacations, plus 4 weeks in the summer, it has been like this for the past 5 years.

There is so much more to this than just that as per your other posts on this list. Hence you are not going to get a different answer. Relationships with others matter be it by marriage or blood.

 

[angeleyzad]

There is so much more to this than just that as per your other posts on this list. Hence you are not going to get a different answer. Relationships with others matter be it by marriage or blood.

I know there are many issues that we are dealing with - this is a new one that came up. EX wants to have our sons more to strengthen the bond with their soon-to-be step-sister. Our boys already have a strong bond with their half-brother. Even a weekend away from him, and they are all over him when they get home. I know it will be difficult for them when they go for 2 weeks in the summer, but that is something that they will have to deal with.

I know that summer vacation time is the big question with us, one of the points he has made to me is for the boys to be with their step-sister. I was just curious, though, if a judge would look at a step-sibling different than a half-sibling. Everyone always says that the step family does not matter legally, so I thought it was a valid question, that's all.

 

[CJane]

I know there are many issues that we are dealing with - this is a new one that came up. EX wants to have our sons more to strengthen the bond with their soon-to-be step-sister. Our boys already have a strong bond with their half-brother. Even a weekend away from him, and they are all over him when they get home. I know it will be difficult for them when they go for 2 weeks in the summer, but that is something that they will have to deal with.

I know that summer vacation time is the big question with us, one of the points he has made to me is for the boys to be with their step-sister. I was just curious, though, if a judge would look at a step-sibling different than a half-sibling. Everyone always says that the step family does not matter legally, so I thought it was a valid question, that's all.

It's a valid question. But it doesn't change the fact that with that sort of distance, 6 weeks in the summer is perfectly normal. The judge isn't likely to take either sib into account when deciding that.