Next Of Kin?

[jordyboy14]

Can someone nominate there next of kin.?surely next of kin is a sister or brother and somebody can't just pick one, or am I wrong again?

[Prudie]

Next of kin is someone you pick, it doesn't have to be family at all. It would only be assumed to be the closest relative if you hadn't said any different.

[murraymints]

can be anyone you want it to be !!

[fiction-factory]

It depends what you mean by 'next of kin'. Is it someone to inherit your estate if you die? Someone to be notified by work if you are taken ill? What is it for jordy please?

[mikey4444]

The only time next-of-kin is important is when you die. You can appoint anybody to inherit your worldly goods. But if you die "intestate", die without making a Will, your next of kin is your closest relative, unless a Court decides other wise.

[pixie374]

Next of kin means absolutely nothing legally. It's just someone you wish to be contacted.

[murraymints]

next of kin can be asked to make decisions regarding your care or finances...if you are incapacitated..

[pixie374]

That's Power of Attorney.

[murraymints]

next of kin does not figure in inheritance ..blood lines apply..in the case of no will being made

[murraymints]

if there is no power of attorney in place.. ^^^

[Old_Geezer]

A strange phrase then. Kin is meant to be relations, but if you can pick someone outside of your family that makes it a misnomer.

Why are you interested in the definition ? As folk says, it isn't legally recognised and meaningful.

[jordyboy14]

Thanks all,so I am wrong again I thought a brother would be next of kin over a neice the old dear has a brother but they said her niece was next of kin

[dannyk13]

Pixie. That is not quite true.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/next+of+kin

[pixie374]

That's US, Danny.... I meant UK.

[Old_Geezer]

Does that the dictionary is American make a difference ?

[mikey4444]

If you die intestate, Probate will have to be sought by somebody. If that is your next of kin, and the amount of money and various things is less than a certain amount, then Probate is fairly easy.

But the process is much more complicated if there is larger amount of money involved.

The easiest and best way to avoid any problems after death is to make a Last Will and Testament.

[pixie374]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_of_kin

[murraymints]

also important to have power of attorney or a written instruction re next of kin in case of incapacity..experienced this with FIL..no POA in place but a letter with solicitor nominating next of kin..who then was legally responsible for decision making on his behalf ...in Scotland anyway...