When used in a legal context, the term ‘kindred’ means “family relationship,” with roots that can be traced back to the Middle English word “kinrede.” As business professionals, understanding these familial relationships and their effect on legal matters is of utmost importance.
In a legal entity, the term ‘kindred’ is generally used to determine inheritance rights, position in a company, and legal entitlements to land or other tangible property. Business professionals should be aware that when a person passes away, their familial relationships can affect how an estate is divided, how someone can take over a business, and the succession of power within the company.
For instance, a company may have a policy that requires relatives of the deceased to be considered for promotion to a vacant executive role. In that case, the kinship of the person must be established for legal provisions to be determined. In addition, business professionals should be aware that kindred is often used when there is a dispute—for example, two individuals may contest whom rightfully inherited the estate or what should have been passed on by the deceased.
As a business professional, it’s important to be aware of the implications of ‘kindred’ and why it is used in the legal context. Knowing the different types of familial relationships and how they could affect legal obligations in the event of a death, inheritance, dispute, or passing of power is essential in successfully navigating a legal situation.