DESCENT

descent,n.1. The acquisition of real property by law, as by inheritance; the passing of intestate

real  property  to  heirs.  See  SUCCESSION(2).  Cf.  DISTRIBUTION(1);  PURCHASE.  [Cases:

Descent and Distribution    1–19.C.J.S. Conflict of  Laws §§ 71, 84; Descent and Distribution §§

1–22; Right of Privacy and Publicity§ 42.] 2. The fact or process of originating from a common

ancestor. Cf. ASCENT. — descend,vb.

collateral descent.Descent in a collateral or oblique line, from brother to brother or cousin to D

cousin. • With collateral descent, the donor and donee are related through a common ancestor. Cf.

collateral  descendant  under  DESCENDANT.  [Cases:  Descent  and  Distribution    32–41.  C.J.S.

Descent and Distribution §§ 29, 38–49.]

direct-line descent.See lineal descent.

immediate descent. 1. A descent directly to an heir, as from a grandmother to granddaughter,

brought about by the earlier death of the mother. [Cases: Descent and Distribution    25–36. C.J.S.

Descent  and  Distribution  §§  29,  32–43.]  2.  A  direct  descent  without  an  intervening  link  in

consanguinity, as from mother to daughter.

lineal  descent.Descent  in  a  direct  or  straight  line,  as  from  father  or  grandfather  to  son  or

grandson.  —  Also  termed  direct-line  descent.  [Cases:  Descent  and  Distribution    25.  C.J.S.

Descent and Distribution § 32.]

maternal-line  descent.Descent  between  two  persons,  traced  through  the  mother  of  the

mediate descent. 1. A descent not occurring immediately, as when a granddaughter receives

land from her grandmother, which first passed to the mother. 2. A direct descent occurring through

a link in consanguinity, as when a granddaughter receives land from her grandfather directly.

“The law categorizes descents as either lineal or collateral, and as mediate or immediate. The

term mediate or immediate descent may denote either the passing of the estate, or the relationship

between  the  intestate  and  the  heir.  The  classification  of  descents  as  mediate  or  immediate

describes the  proximity  of the  descent, while  the  characterization as lineal or collateral refers to

the direction of the descent.” 23 Am. Jur. 2d Descent and Distribution § 49, at 787–88 (1983).