Legal Next of Kin: Who Holds the Role in Sydney?

WHO BECOMES THE LEGAL NEXT OF KIN IN SYDNEY?

Losing someone cherished sparks immense change, including unfamiliar administrative tasks for nominated next of kin managing final affairs. We explain the role below so families grasp key duties helping things run smoothly.

DEFINING NEXT OF KIN

A next of kin represents the deceased's closest living relative based on a standardised hierarchy prioritising spouses and children first:

• Legal spouse/domestic partner
• Eldest adult child
• Parent
• Adult sibling
• An appointed estate executor
• Existing personal representative
• Relation ruled closest by a Coroner

If you are the most senior next of kin when someone dies, it typically means stepping up to handle financial, legal, and emotional matters in their absence.

WILL VS NO WILL IMPACTS

Where a legally binding Will exists appointing an executor, assets flow according to personal wishes. Intestate deaths without guidance require a next of kin to settle affairs, including organizing the funeral.

KEY NEXT OF KIN RESPONSIBILITIES

If stepping up, typical obligations include:

• Healthcare decisions about organ donation
• Informing wider circles of the loss
• Registering the death
• Settling funeral arrangements
• Estate administration
• Finalizing outstanding accounts

We're here to listen, explain, and support you navigate the road ahead. Please call Funera Sydney on (02) 9954 6655 anytime.