Legal Definitions - descendant

A descendant is a person who is born in a direct biological line. This means that they are related to someone who came before them, like their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. For example, if your grandparents had children, those children are your parents, and you are their descendant. Your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are also your descendants.

In legal writing, the term "descendant" can have different meanings. It can include people who have been adopted, as well as those who are related through blood. However, stepchildren or the stepchildren of a person's descendants are not considered "descendants."

For example, if a person has a child who is adopted, that child is still their descendant. If that child has children of their own, those children are also the person's descendants. However, if a person marries someone who has children from a previous relationship, those stepchildren are not their descendants.