Legal Definitions - niece

A niece is primarily defined as the daughter of a person's brother or sister. In certain legal contexts, such as wills or trusts, the term can sometimes be interpreted more broadly to include the daughter of a person's brother-in-law or sister-in-law (a spouse's sibling). Occasionally, a will might even explicitly extend the definition to include a grandniece, who is the granddaughter of one's sibling.

• Example 1 (Core Meaning):

  Ms. Eleanor has a brother named Thomas. Thomas and his wife have a daughter named Lily. In this situation, Lily is Ms. Eleanor's niece.

  Explanation: This illustrates the most direct and common understanding of the term, where Lily is the daughter of Ms. Eleanor's sibling, Thomas.

• Example 2 (Extended Meaning in a Will - In-Law):

  Mr. Patel's will specifies that a portion of his estate should be distributed among "all my nieces." Mr. Patel has a sister whose daughter is Maya. Additionally, his wife's brother has a daughter named Sofia. Depending on the specific wording and jurisdiction, Sofia, as the daughter of Mr. Patel's brother-in-law, might also be considered a niece for the purpose of inheriting under the will.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates how the legal interpretation of "niece" in a will can sometimes extend beyond blood relatives to include the daughter of a spouse's sibling, reflecting a broader family relationship intended by the testator.

• Example 3 (Extended Meaning in a Will - Grandniece):

  In her last will and testament, Mrs. Chen stipulated that her antique jewelry collection should be divided equally among "my nieces and grandnieces." Her brother, David, has a daughter named Grace, and Grace, in turn, has a daughter named Olivia. Under the terms of this will, Grace would be considered a niece, and Olivia would be considered a grandniece, both eligible beneficiaries.

  Explanation: This scenario highlights how a legal document like a will can explicitly broaden the definition of "niece" to encompass a "grandniece," showcasing the importance of precise language when defining beneficiaries.

A half niece is the daughter of one's half-brother or half-sister.