Legal Definitions - immediate family

Immediate family refers to a group of people who are related to each other by blood, marriage, or adoption. This group usually includes parents, siblings, spouse, and children.

• A family consisting of a mother, father, and their two children.
• A family consisting of a single parent and their child.
• A family consisting of a married couple and their children.

These examples illustrate how immediate family can vary in size and composition, but always includes the closest and most direct relatives.