Which term refers to lineal descendants such as children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren?

• A. Statutory law
• B. Case law
• C. Issue
• D. Contestant

Answer: (C)

In probate vocabulary, the concept here is identifying lineal descendants. The term “issue” refers to the decedent’s lineal descendants—children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on—and is routinely used in wills and intestacy provisions to designate heirs by blood (and, in many cases, by legal adoption). This makes it the best fit because it specifically naming kin who are in the direct line of descent, rather than broad legal categories like statutory law or case law, or a person who challenges a will. The other options describe types of law or roles unrelated to who inherits by family line, so they don’t fit as definitions of descendants.