Collateral Descendant Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Collateral Descendant.

Collateral Descendant (noun)

A term used in the legal context to refer to individuals who are related not directly (like children or grandchildren), but through common ancestors such as uncles, aunts, or cousins. The relationship is established via the siblings of one's ancestors rather than a direct line down from those ancestors.