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Question:My first cousin (my mother's sister's daughter) married a man who has a daughter from a previous marriage.

To my first cousin she is a step-daughter.
But TO ME, is she:
- my step-cousin once removed?
- my first cousin by marriage once removed?
- simply my step-cousin?

I am trying to refer to her in a legal document (will).

Thanks


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My first cousin (my mother's sister's daughter) married a man who has a daughter from a previous marriage.

To my first cousin she is a step-daughter.
But TO ME, is she:
- my step-cousin once removed?
- my first cousin by marriage once removed?
- simply my step-cousin?

I am trying to refer to her in a legal document (will).

Thanks

First step-cousin once removed, but you would be MUCH clearer in your will if you said:

"To Paige Brakes, daughter of Don Breaks, who married my first cousin Sarah Bellum, I leave my second-best cat, Eustace, and control over a small trust fund for his care and comfort . . ."

I would not name her by relation. She might not always be your step-cousin, if death or divorce ends the marriage. If that happens, a clever lawyer for someone who didn't get as much might contest the will.

I've read a couple of hundred wills in my genealogy research. Lots of them name someone and give a reference so the executor knows who they mean. The ones we genealogists love say "To my daughter Bertha D., who maried John Blues . . ."

I would say my first cousin by marriage once removed because they are really not a cousin or blood relative.

How about my cousin's step daughter( fill in the name). If you are having a lawyer do the will, he should know. Good Luck!

Technically, she is of no relation to you at all. Her father married your cousin. That relationship is good only for as long as they remain married. In genealogy, relationships are not changable. They are fixed at birth. So, for this reason, she is not of any relation to you. However, to explain her connection in the will, go with what Ted said. That is the best option.

Step cousin, but be sure to name her.

She's your step-cousin once removed.

Step-cousin once removed, but I would certainly NOT use this in a legal document, as step relationships are not really used outside immediate family, particularly in a legal sense.

Clearly stating her name, birthdate, current abode and known family would be much more sensible, as these are facts about her that cannot change (even if she moves, her former home cannot be disputed), and would be enough to establish exactly who you mean without anyone using a legal loophole to contest it.