lähisukuisuus

Lähisukuisuus refers to the legal concept of close kinship in Finnish law. It defines the degrees of familial relationship that are considered significant for various legal purposes, such as inheritance, marriage restrictions, and parental rights. Finnish law categorizes relationships based on degrees of consanguinity (blood relation) and affinity (relation by marriage).

The primary degrees of consanguinity recognized are direct lineage, meaning parent-child relationships, and collateral lineage, such as siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. The closer the relationship, the more legal implications it typically carries. For instance, inheritance rights are strongest for direct descendants and spouses.

Affinity, or relationships by marriage, also plays a role. While a marriage creates a legal bond, the kinship through affinity generally ceases upon the dissolution of the marriage through divorce or death of a spouse, although exceptions may exist.

Understanding lähisukuisuus is crucial for navigating legal matters related to family. It forms the basis for determining who can inherit from an estate, who cannot marry each other due to close kinship, and who has obligations or rights concerning children. The specific provisions regarding lähisukuisuus are detailed in various Finnish statutes, including the Inheritance Act and the Marriage Act.