Define: Immediate Family

Immediate family typically refers to a person’s closest relatives, including their spouse or partner, children, parents, and siblings. These individuals are considered immediate family members due to their close biological or legal relationships with the person. Immediate family members often share strong emotional bonds and may have legal or financial responsibilities towards each other. The concept of immediate family may vary slightly depending on cultural or legal definitions, but it generally encompasses those individuals who are closest and most directly connected to a person’s life and well-being.

Someone’s spouse, parents and grandparents, children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, mother in law and father in law, brothers in law and sisters in law, daughters in law and sons in law.

Adopted, half, and step members are also included in the immediate family. See also, first-degree relative.

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.