Next of kin

[Pudcat]

who is the next of kin to someone who has passed away; a mother or a child who is with is a ex -partner?

[Ethel]

Sorry, you will have to rephrase that, it makes no sense.

[saxy_jag]

I think what Pudcat means is, is the NoK likely to the deceased's mother, or their child who's in the care of a surviving ex?

For pension or benefit purposes it would be the child. For purposes of post-mortem administrative matters, then it would be more likely to be the mother if she's capable of undertaking the tasks required.

I'm not sure who would undertake the role if neither child nor mother were up to it.

[Ethel]

Thanks for that, saxy_jag and my apologies to Pudcat.

To add, the deceased could have made a will or other documented arrangement that names beneficiaries or others to be considered 'next of kin'.

[Pudcat]

Thank you Ethel.
I must admit it was a bit confusing.
Pudcat

[saxy_jag]

It makes sense to write a will and to leave written instructions.

Many years ago, the nephew of a friend committed suicide. He had left everything to his pregnant girlfriend, but because he had only done so via a suicide note and hadn't left a proper will, she got nothing. His parents, who had been part of the cause of his suicide, and who hated the girlfriend, got everything and she was left with nothing.

Needless to say the boy's uncle (said friend) immediately got a will made out to ensure that his common-law wife wouldn't be left in the same position.