Legal Definitions - forisfamiliated

The term forisfamiliated is a historical legal concept referring to a son who, during his father's lifetime, received an early portion of the family's assets, typically land or other significant property. This early distribution served as his complete and final share of the inheritance, effectively granting him independence from his father's direct authority and excluding him from any further inheritance upon his father's death.

Here are some examples to illustrate this historical term:

• Example 1: A Medieval Baron's Son

  Imagine a powerful baron in 14th-century England, Lord Blackwood, who had several sons. To ensure the main family estate remained intact for his eldest son, Arthur, Lord Blackwood decided to provide for his second son, Bertram, during his own lifetime. He formally granted Bertram a smaller but valuable manor, complete with its own tenants and income, allowing Bertram to establish his own household and manage his own affairs independently.

  How it illustrates the term: Bertram was forisfamiliated because he received a significant portion of the family's land (the manor) from his father while Lord Blackwood was still alive. This grant served as his full and final inheritance, emancipating him from his father's direct control and meaning he would not receive any further share of the main family estate upon Lord Blackwood's death.

• Example 2: A Wealthy Merchant's Heir

  Consider a prosperous merchant family in 17th-century Amsterdam. The patriarch, Mr. Van der Meer, had built a substantial trading empire. To provide for one of his adult sons, Pieter, and encourage his entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Van der Meer invested a considerable sum of money into a new shipping venture for Pieter, granting him a controlling share. This arrangement was formally documented as Pieter's complete and final share of the family's wealth, allowing him to operate his own business independently.

  How it illustrates the term: Pieter was forisfamiliated because his father provided him with a substantial portion of the family's financial assets (capital and business shares) during his lifetime. This early provision was intended to grant him financial independence and served as his entire inheritance, meaning he would not be entitled to any further share of Mr. Van der Meer's estate after his father's passing.

• Example 3: A Farmer Dividing Land

  Picture a farming family in 18th-century rural Germany. The head of the family, Herr Schmidt, owned a large and productive farm. When his second son, Klaus, came of age and wished to marry and start his own family, Herr Schmidt formally transferred ownership of a specific, fertile parcel of land from the main farm to Klaus. This transfer allowed Klaus to build his own home and farm independently, separate from his father's direct management, with the clear understanding that this land constituted his entire inheritance from the family estate.

  How it illustrates the term: Klaus was forisfamiliated because he received a significant portion of the family's agricultural land from his father during his lifetime. This act provided him with independence and served as his full inheritance, thereby excluding him from any further claims on the remaining family farm when Herr Schmidt eventually passed away.