Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Direct affinity refers to the relationship between a person and their spouse's blood relatives. For example, a wife is related by direct affinity to her husband's brother. It is different from consanguinity, which is the relationship between blood relatives, and collateral affinity, which is the relationship between a spouse's relatives and the other spouse's relatives. Quasi-affinity exists between two people who are engaged to each other's relatives. Secondary affinity is the relationship between a spouse and their spouse's marital relatives, such as a wife and her husband's sister-in-law.
Definition: Direct affinity refers to the relationship between a spouse and the blood relatives of their partner.
For example, a wife is related by direct affinity to her husband's brother. This is because they are related through marriage, rather than through blood.
Direct affinity is different from consanguinity, which refers to blood relationships. It is also different from collateral affinity, which refers to the relationship between a spouse's relatives and the other spouse's relatives.
Understanding direct affinity is important in legal contexts, such as inheritance and family law.