Who would be his next of kin?

pmarsh1986

As a nurse, I've been the referee before between two daughters who wanted to be 'top-of-the-list' for emergency contact (we don't call it NOK anymore). These sisters did not get on and of course wanted very different things for their father. Luckily the father was still able to make decisions and he decided he wanted the younger daughter to be his emergency contact and I was called the c-word for "daring to ask him" by the losing daughter. :rotfl: I currently have one patient whose friend is their 'next-of-kin' despite them having siblings.

Of course, situations like the OP and others are different and show the benefit of advance directives, wills etc. especially as the nuclear family is becoming a rarity now. Gay (and of course straight) relationships where there is no 'bit of paper can lead to heartache when the disapproving parents/children make decisions whilst ignoring their relative's wishes excluding their partner.