Jenna Gordius v. Randall G. Kelley

[¶ 21] I respectfully dissent.

[¶ 22] This appeal addresses a sad scenario that recurs hundreds or thousands of times a year in Maine — a child’s parent with primary residence of a child has a long-term relationship with a friend, fian-cée, or spouse who is not the child’s biological parent. The friend, fiancée, or spouse develops a positive, parent-like relationship with the child. The child’s parent and the friend, fiancée, or spouse then separate, and the child is saddened, or, as the trial court found here, “hurt” by the loss of contact with the now ex-friend, fiancée, or spouse.

[¶ 23] The…