Legal Definitions - consanguine sister

A consanguine sister refers to a female sibling who shares at least one biological parent with another individual. This means they are related by blood, as opposed to being related through adoption or marriage.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of this term:

• Estate Planning and Inheritance: Imagine a situation where a man passes away without a will. His surviving relatives include a half-sister (they share the same biological father but have different mothers) and a stepsister (his mother married her father, but they share no biological parents). In many legal systems, when determining who inherits his estate, the half-sister would be considered a consanguine sister. This distinction is crucial because blood relatives often have a direct claim to an estate under intestacy laws, whereas a stepsister, lacking a blood relationship, typically would not unless specifically provided for in a will.

• Medical History and Genetic Risk: A woman is diagnosed with a hereditary condition and her doctor needs to understand the family's genetic predisposition. The doctor might ask if she has any consanguine sisters. This specific inquiry aims to identify female siblings who share the same biological parents, as they would have a higher probability of carrying the same genetic markers or developing the condition due to their shared bloodline and genetic heritage.

• Immigration and Family Reunification: An individual living abroad applies for a visa to join her sister in a new country under a family reunification program. To prove their relationship to the immigration authorities, she submits birth certificates demonstrating that both she and her sister share the same biological mother and father. In this context, the immigration officials are looking for evidence of a consanguine sister relationship, as these programs often prioritize immediate blood relatives over other forms of familial connection like stepsiblings or sisters-in-law.