Those who have a common ancestor to the decedent are known as?

• A. Descendants
• B. Ancestors or ascendants
• C. Heirs, next of kin, or distributees
• D. Collateral relatives

Answer: (D)

In estate law, relatives are categorized by how they’re connected to the decedent. Collateral relatives are those who share a common ancestor with the decedent but are not in the direct line of descent or ascent—think siblings, aunts/uncles, cousins, and others connected through a side line. Descendants are in the direct line downward from the decedent (children, grandchildren), while ancestors/ascendants are in the direct line upward (parents, grandparents). The term heirs, next of kin, or distributees describes status in inheritance, not the specific type of kinship, and can include various relationships but isn’t the label for people who share a common ancestor in a collateral line. Therefore, the best match for “those who have a common ancestor to the decedent” is collateral relatives.