Next of kin - responsibilities

[marly24]

Does anyone know what, if anything, this means in terms of responsibilities. I have a distant cousin who it turns out has not kept any of his affairs in order, has no money to speak of and has made a number of poor decisions about relationships and housing. This has come to a head recently and because he is so difficult both named attorneys have pulled out of their responsibilities - understandably in my view. Someone involved with him is now asking if I am 'next of kin'. If I do say yes I am probably the nearest blood relative, does this mean I end up being the person that has to be involved in any way at all eg after his days dealing with funerals etc or being contacted by social services etc. Sounds harsh but he's not anyone I have ever had much contact with and recent behaviours mean that I really don't want this extra responsibility landing on my lap.

You don’t ‘have’ to be involved at all, no. Just tell them that you don’t want to. Sounds harsh but it sounds like you’re better off out of the situation.

Thanks. Yep it's a mess (and far away geographically at a point where I might be required to collect death certificates or anything when that time arrives). I was just worried that legally I might have to.

Do you want to be an emergency contact for health or social services? I'm guessing that the answer is NO (big shouty no) because it's a distant relationship in every meaning of the word. You've no legal obligation to say yes and given the relationship, why would you? Just say no and let the person call someone else.

Just say no. The person's local authority will then become responsible for administering their estate, clearing their house and will arrange the funeral (or a direct cremation depending on their policy).

Stay well out

Definitely not! I'm concerned that the person locally who is in contact with him and now realises he has no attorneys, has my details... and has stated to me that she assumes I am 'next of kin'. I haven't replied but am worried that she will pass my phone number on to social services etc. I don't want that. I guess I can just state that to her.

@titchy @TheaBrandt thanks - that's what I was thinking. Just worried about someone else naming me as such!

In life - absolutely no responsibilties

After death - if there is no will then you inherit. If there is anything to inherit of course.

I've had parts of the NHS call me as MIL's next of kin when she's got a daughter and a brother. When my husband died MIL decided that I was next in line and put my number down as her NOK. Each time I gave them her daughter's details and asked them to remove my details from their records.

If the local person is so concerned then she could appeal to the attornies that have backed away. If she's got concerns then she should be calling social services and not you. If there's a problem then it's not her problem but it's not yours either.

I've not seen most of my cousins for nearly 40 years except at funerals, I have a closer relationship with my neighbours.

Thank you. Nothing to inherit - I'm not interested in that anyway though the more significant problem is that there is 'nothing at all' which means nothing to support him if he needs care and so on... which is partly the issue. This is a man who had a good job in the past but has frittered everything via a series of errors and poor judgements.

Ugh. Thanks for your response - this is enlightening and is what I'm concerned about! I'm sorry that happened to you. I think on the basis of what you said I will make it clear to the local person that my contact details are not to be shared.