Legal Question in Family Law in New Jersey
Step siblings vs. Half siblings
What is the difference between step siblings and half siblings? My son has lived with me since before inception and has seen his father maybe 6 times in his life (he is 9). He has three half siblings abroad - are they step siblings (he never stayed with his bio father, never will, and he never met their mother... What is the difference and what legal/familial instances should I consider?? Thank you.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Step siblings vs. Half siblings
Your question kind of mixes apples with oranges. A stepchild or stepbrother is not a blood relation or legal relation. A half brother or sister is someone who shares one parent with you to that parent each has a legal and blood relation. Knowing or meeting each other has nothing to do with a legal/blood relationship. In other words your father is your father and your mother is your mother whether you see or meet either.
A formal adoption is another matter. The adoptive parent becomes recognized
by the law as the adopted child's parent and his or her name replaces the birth mother or father on the child's birth certificate.
I am not certain I have answer your question, but I triedl
Gary Moore, Esquire
Hackensack, New Jersey
www.garymooreattorneyatlaw.com
Re: Step siblings vs. Half siblings
A step sibling is the child of your sept parent and not the child of your parent.
A half sibling is the child of your step parent and your parent.
Half siblings have a legal interest in their parent's estate, but step siblings do not unless they are included in the will.
Antoinette M. Wooten, Qsq.
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