Legal Definitions - abneptis

An abneptis is a legal term, primarily used in civil law systems, to describe a specific familial relationship: a great-great granddaughter. This means she is the granddaughter of one's grandson or granddaughter.

• Estate Planning Scenario: Imagine Mr. Arthur Jenkins, a very elderly gentleman, is updating his will. He has a grandson named Michael, who has a daughter named Chloe. Chloe, in turn, has a daughter named Lily. If Mr. Jenkins' will specifies a particular inheritance for his "abneptis," Lily would be the designated beneficiary. This example illustrates the term because Lily is Mr. Jenkins' great-great granddaughter, being the granddaughter of his grandson, Michael.

• Genealogical Research Scenario: A genealogist, Dr. Evelyn Reed, is meticulously tracing the lineage of a prominent historical figure, Lady Eleanor Vance. Dr. Reed discovers that Lady Vance had a granddaughter, Isabella. Isabella later had a granddaughter named Catherine. In this family tree, Catherine is Lady Vance's abneptis, representing the fifth generation of direct female descent from Lady Vance. This demonstrates the term by identifying Catherine as the great-great granddaughter of Lady Vance through a specific line of descent.

• Historical Legal Context: In ancient Roman civil law, precise familial relationships were critical for determining inheritance rights and social standing. If a Roman citizen, Lucius, had a grandson, Gaius, and Gaius later had a daughter, Flavia, who then had a daughter, Marcia, Marcia would be considered Lucius's abneptis. Her status as an abneptis could have implications for her eligibility to inherit property or hold certain positions if closer heirs were unavailable. This example shows the term's application in its original legal context, highlighting Marcia as the great-great granddaughter of Lucius.