definition of next of kin

[cambog]

can someone give me the answer of when a adult child of divoiced parents dies who is next of kin the father or mother

[baileybird]

Ethel is the one to ask - she will be able to tell you I am sure - she is really knowledgeable.

[bednobs]

people can say whoever they want as "next of kin", even someone not related - it has no legal standing anyway

[terambulan]

If the person's surname is as the father's then he would be next of kin.

see here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_of_kin

[bednobs]

except that article relates to America, and i presume you are in the uk?

[Pickles73]

It is normally the mother.

[Ethel]

But this is an adult, so it can be whomever he chooses - wife, best friend, live in lover, mother, aunt.

Anyone at all.

[Schutzengel]

Both the mother and father are considered Next of Kin, and for purposes of registering the death, it is quite acceptable for them to decide between them which one will take on the role. However, if a person dies who has no relatives, a close friend who is to register the death can nominate themselves as Next of Kin. Similarly, a person with no relatives can nominate whoever they wish, while still living, to speak on their behalf with hospital doctors etc. This last aspect is particularly important, should the person later become so incapacitated that they are unable to make decisions on their own behalf.

[terambulan]

If an adult they should nominate n-o-k by a Will else it will be the father first.

[fuzzbucket]

In the NHS under the Mental Health Act - and therefore likely elsewhere - the ruling is that the OLDER takes precedence. But there is no LEGAL rule at all.... Put something in writing.