Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Stranger in blood

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In the law of United States and the Commonwealth, a stranger in blood is someone mentioned in a will (such as a beneficiary) who is not related by blood to the testator. It is therefore the opposite of next of kin.

Contents

Notable instances

Suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams was identified as a 'stranger in blood' in the wills of 132 of his patients.

Similar terms in other languages

The Hebrew word zar is used in the Bible to describe a non-member of a tribe (see: Book of Numbers 16:40 and 1:51, or Deuteronomy 25:5).

Heraldry

In heraldry, being a stranger in blood - through adoption for example - is indicated via a 'canton voided'.

References

Stranger in blood Wikipedia