Which term best matches the definition: 'Those who have a common ancestor to the decedent'?

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

Answer: (D)

Collateral relatives are relatives who share a common ancestor with the decedent but are not in the decedent’s direct line of ascent or descent. This includes siblings (share a parent), cousins (share a grandparent), and other relatives connected through a collateral branch. The term captures the idea of a shared ancestor without being in the decedent’s direct line.

Descendants are the decedent’s own offspring and future generations in the downward direction. Ancestors or ascendants are those in the upward direction, the decedent’s parents, grandparents, and so on. Heirs, next of kin, or distributees describe who might inherit, but they refer to inheritance status rather than the specific blood-relationship pattern. Therefore, the description “those who have a common ancestor to the decedent” best fits collateral relatives.