The lower the degree of relation, the more closely related that individual is to the decedent. If the degrees of relation are the same, the individual further left on the chart is more closely related to the decedent. For example, a niece/nephew is considered more closely related to the decedent than an aunt/uncle, even though they have the same degree of relation.
Degrees of Kinship Chart
| Degree |
Descendants |
Ascendants |
Collaterals |
| 1 |
Child |
Parent |
— |
| 2 |
Grandchild |
Grandparent |
Sibling |
| 3 |
Great Grandchild |
Great Grandparent |
Niece / Nephew, Aunt / Uncle |
| 4 |
— |
— |
Great Niece / Nephew, First Cousin, Great Aunt / Uncle |
| 5 |
— |
— |
Great-Great Niece / Nephew, First Cousin Once-Removed |
| 6 |
— |
— |
Second Cousin, First Cousin Twice-Removed |
| 7 |
— |
— |
Second Cousin Once-Removed, First Cousin Thrice-Removed |
| 8 |
— |
— |
Second Cousin Twice-Removed |
| 9 |
— |
— |
Second Cousin Thrice-Removed |
The lower the degree of relation, the more closely related that individual is to the decedent. If two people share the same degree, the one further left in the chart (descendants before collaterals) is considered more closely related.
