Heirs Related Through Two Family Lines

How Double Relationships Happen

It sounds unusual, but it is more common than people realize. A person can be related to a decedent through two separate lines of the family tree. This typically occurs in families where relatives have married each other. For example, two siblings from one family may marry two siblings from another. Their children would share a common ancestor on both sides.

The rule is simple and fair. The heir does not get two shares. They receive one share, calculated using whichever family connection gives them the better result.

Why This Prevents Complications

Without this rule, a person related through two lines could claim two separate shares of an estate. That would reduce what other heirs receive. It would also create an imbalance the decedent likely never intended.

By limiting the heir to the larger of the two possible shares, the statute keeps the distribution proportional. It also simplifies the work of the personal representative. They do not need to calculate two overlapping shares for the same person.

When Double Relationships Come Up

These situations may arise when DNA testing or genealogy research reveals shared DNA through more than one branch of the family. Even without DNA testing, families with intermarried branches often find that some members have a common ancestor on both the maternal and paternal side. The amount of DNA shared does not change the legal outcome. The statute looks at family-line relationships, not genetics.

If your family tree includes marriages between branches of the same extended family, this statute is worth knowing. It makes sure the estate is divided fairly, with each heir counted once.

For families where double relationships exist, a will or trust can address how shares are split. This removes any ambiguity and gives the person creating the plan full control over the outcome.