{"id":9555,"date":"2022-09-25T18:00:15","date_gmt":"2022-09-25T18:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=9555"},"modified":"2022-09-25T18:01:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-25T18:01:09","slug":"next-of-kin-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/next-of-kin-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Next of Kin \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did someone at the hospital ask you to list your next of kin <\/em><\/strong>in your admission form? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018next of kin\u2019<\/em> describes your closest living relative through a legal or blood relationship.<\/u> The phrase appears in contract law<\/u>, specifically surrounding inheritance and medical emergencies<\/u>. A living will cover the inheritable assets of a deceased person and takes precedence over the rights of the next of kin when distributing the assets held by the deceased estate.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s common to see this term used in insurance policies, retirement accounts, and wills,<\/u> where the deceased nominates their beneficiaries as their \u2018next of kin.\u2019 <\/em>You\u2019ll also find \u2018next of kin\u2019<\/em>; used on medical forms, such as hospital admission contracts<\/u>, when the patient must list their next of kin<\/em> as an emergency contact.<\/u><\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"Please can you fill out this form, sir? Make sure you leave us the details of your next of kin for our records. We need their address and phone number for emergencies.\"<\/p>\n

\"Please can you leave us the details of your next of kin? We need that information for our records. If anything happens to you, we know who to call.\"<\/p>\n

\"My brother is my next of kin. I've left his details on the fridge; you can contact him anytime. He's always available.\"<\/p>\n

\"My sister is my next of kin. You can reach her at the following number. Don't call her unless it's an emergency, or she'll get super stressed.\"<\/p>\n

\"Who is my next of kin? I don't understand what you mean by that? Is it someone I know, a family member? Or may partner? Let me know what you want me to complete here.\"<\/p>\n

\"Is your next of kin available to collect the deposit box in the event of your passing? We need to know who to notify to collect your things in the event of your death.\"<\/p>\n

\"The next of kin get the estate and all the assets in their portfolio. They're going to be a millionaire, so we must conduct thorough due diligence.\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018next of kin\u2019 originates from the mid-18th century and the introduction of the inheritance law act in the 1760s. The term's original use in the act referred to setting a precedent for the inheritance of assets and property when the deceased died intestate.<\/p>\n

The introduction of the law required people to set up a kinship list. This list included all their relatives and the relationship they have with them. For instance, siblings, parents, cousins, etc. The law required the person to list their kin, starting with their closest relative at the top of the list, working down it in priority.<\/p>\n