Cousin-In-Law: What This Term Really Means And Who It Includes

The term cousin-in-law can refer to two distinct relationships: either the spouse of one's biological cousin or the biological cousin of one's spouse. This term bridges both familial and marital connections, providing a clear description of the relationship between non-blood relatives. While there is no legal basis for the term, a cousin-in-law is considered a relative and can be added to one's family tree. The closeness of the relationship may depend on the frequency of interactions and the bond formed with the cousin-in-law.

What is a cousin-in-law?

The term “cousin-in-law” refers to two distinct relationships: either the spouse of one’s biological cousin or the biological cousin of one’s spouse. This term bridges both familial and marital connections, providing a clear descriptor for the relationship between non-blood relatives. While there is no legal reason behind the name, a cousin-in-law is a relation on your family tree as this person married your cousin.

A cousin-in-law is not a blood relation. Your cousin’s spouse is not related to you in DNA or blood, but their children will be, as they will share some of the same DNA from your cousin, which will be the same as yours to some percentage. Since a cousin-in-law is someone who enters your family by marriage and not blood, they are not considered a blood relation. They are also not a “close relative” in the same way that your siblings, parents, or grandparents are.

The closeness between you and your cousin-in-law will likely depend on the relationship between you and your cousin. If you see one another often, you may form a friendship with them, and their kids and your kids can grow up knowing one another. At least now you know how they are related. Either way, a cousin-in-law is yet another person to add to your family tree should the time arise.

Are they considered a blood relative?

A cousin-in-law is not a blood relative. Your cousin's spouse is not related to you by DNA or blood, but their child will be, as they will share some of the same DNA as your cousin, and therefore as you. While there is no legal reason for the term 'cousin-in-law', this person is still a relation on your family tree as they are married to your cousin.

The term 'cousin-in-law' refers to two distinct relationships: either the spouse of one’s biological cousin or the biological cousin of one’s spouse. This term bridges both familial and marital connections, providing a clear description of the relationship between non-blood relatives.

Whether or not a cousin is considered a blood relative is important to know for medical reasons, as certain health conditions can be hereditary. It is also important when it comes to determining the heirs of an estate, as blood relatives may have legal rights to inherit property.

In clinical genetics, consanguinity is defined as a union between two individuals who are related as second cousins or closer, with the inbreeding coefficient (F) equal to or higher than 0.0156. This is where the child of a consanguineous couple may inherit identical gene copies from both parents. It is common to identify first-, second-, and third-degree cousins, but seldom possible to identify fourth-degree cousins, as few people can trace their family tree back this far.

In some communities and time periods, cousin marriage is allowed or even encouraged, while in others, it is taboo and considered incest. For example, in Egypt, around 40% of the population marry a cousin, and in Jordan, a 1992 survey found that 32% of people were married to their first cousin. In fourteenth-century England, cousin marriage was common, and papal dispensations for annulments due to consanguinity were relatively few. However, in the Roman Catholic Church, marrying a close blood relative was grounds for a declaration of nullity, and in the ninth century, the number of prohibited degrees of consanguinity was raised to seven.

Are they considered family for legal purposes?

A cousin-in-law is a relative introduced through marriage, such as your spouse's cousin or the spouse of one of your cousins. They are not considered blood relatives, but they are still a part of your extended family through marital ties. While there is no legal reason behind the term "cousin-in-law," they are considered a relation on your family tree.

In most places, direct relations have priority over in-law connections when it comes to inheritance laws. For example, if your cousin dies without a will, the law typically grants inheritance to blood relatives first. Your cousin-in-law, being part of the acquired family, would not usually have inheritance rights. However, it is important to note that legal rights and constraints related to cousin-in-law relationships can vary, and it is always advisable to seek advice from a legal expert regarding specific laws in your area.

When it comes to legal contexts, such as job applications or living wills, a cousin-in-law is generally not considered an immediate relative or a family member for legal purposes. However, it is worth noting that the definition of a "relative" can vary depending on the specific situation and jurisdiction. In some cases, a cousin-in-law may be considered a relative if they are related to your spouse or partner.

In summary, while a cousin-in-law is a recognised familial relationship and can be added to your family tree, they are not typically considered a family member for legal purposes. The legal status of a cousin-in-law can vary depending on the specific context and jurisdiction, so it is always advisable to seek clarification from a legal expert when in doubt.

How do I refer to my cousin-in-law?

The term "cousin-in-law" refers to two distinct relationships: either the spouse of one's biological cousin or the biological cousin of one's spouse. This term bridges both familial and marital connections, providing a succinct descriptor for the relationship between non-blood relatives. While there is no legal reason behind the name, a cousin-in-law is a relation on your family tree as this person married your cousin or you married theirs.

You can refer to your cousin-in-law as your "cousin's wife" or "cousin's husband", or simply as your "cousin-in-law". "Cousin-in-law" is a more accurate description from a genealogical standpoint, but people will understand how this person is related to you, whichever description you use. You could also find out which term your cousin-in-law prefers in social situations.

The closeness between you and your cousin-in-law will likely depend on the relationship between you and your cousin. If you see each other often, you may form a friendship, and your children can grow up knowing one another.

How close are we?

The term "cousin-in-law" is used to refer to two distinct relationships: either the spouse of one's biological cousin or the biological cousin of one's spouse. This term bridges both familial and marital connections, providing a clear description of the relationship between non-blood relatives. While there is no legal basis for the term, a cousin-in-law is considered a relation as they are connected through marriage.

The closeness between cousins-in-law will likely depend on the relationship between each cousin and their cousin-in-law. If they see each other often, they may develop a friendship, and their children can grow up knowing one another. However, the level of closeness can vary depending on the frequency of interactions and the nature of their relationship.

From a genealogical perspective, a cousin-in-law is considered a relative and can be added to one's family tree. However, legally, a cousin-in-law is not a family member. When it comes to legal matters such as inheritance or marriage, the term "family" is typically limited to immediate family members, which include spouses, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents, but do not include cousins or cousins-in-law.

In social situations, the use of the term "cousin-in-law" can be flexible. While it provides a clear description of the relationship, some may simply refer to their cousin-in-law as their cousin's wife or husband. It is advisable to use the term preferred by the cousin-in-law themselves to ensure mutual understanding and comfort in social contexts.

Overall, the closeness between cousins-in-law can vary depending on the frequency of their interactions and the nature of their relationship. While they may not be legally considered family members, they are still connected through marriage and can be considered relatives from a genealogical perspective.

Frequently asked questions