What is Lineal Consanguinity?
⚖️ Lineal Consanguinity
Definition:
Lineal consanguinity refers to the blood relationship in a straight line between a person and their direct ancestors or descendants.
It is the degree of blood relationship connecting a person to their parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, and so on.
1️⃣ Key Features
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Direct Line | Only includes direct ancestors or descendants, not collateral relatives like siblings, cousins, or uncles. |
| Blood Relation | Relationship must be by blood, not by marriage or adoption (unless adoption is legally recognized). |
| Straight Line | Forms a vertical line of descent: Parent → Child → Grandchild → Great-grandchild, etc. |
| Legal Relevance | Important in succession, inheritance, and family law, e.g., determining heirs under Hindu Succession Act or Indian Succession Act. |
2️⃣ Examples
Ancestor Side:
Father, grandfather, great-grandfather
Descendant Side:
Son, grandson, great-grandson
Not included:
Brothers, uncles, nephews, cousins → These are collateral consanguinity, not lineal.
3️⃣ Comparison with Collateral Consanguinity
| Aspect | Lineal Consanguinity | Collateral Consanguinity |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Direct blood line (ancestor ↔ descendant) | Blood relation in same generation (siblings, cousins) |
| Relationship | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Legal Use | Inheritance, succession rights | Sometimes in intestate succession if no lineal heirs exist |
| Example | Father → Son → Grandson | Brother, Uncle, Cousin |
4️⃣ Legal Significance
Hindu Law:
Lineal descendants and ascendants have priority in inheritance over collateral relatives.
E.g., in intestate succession, property first goes to lineal descendants.
Christian Law:
Similarly, lineal descendants (children, grandchildren) inherit before collateral relatives.
Civil & Criminal Law:
Used to determine heirs, guardianship, and degree of relationship for legal purposes.
✅ Key Takeaways
Lineal consanguinity = direct blood relationship in a straight line.
Includes parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren.
Excludes siblings, cousins, and other collateral relatives.
Crucial for inheritance, succession, and family law rights.
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