Family relationships include adoptive relationships.

The next of kin must be an adult, meaning they must be at least 18 years of age. If the person deemed to be the authorized decision-maker is unavailable or unwilling to provide instructions, the next qualified person is deemed to be the authorized decision-maker.

Persons are to be selected in the order listed below. Within each category, the eldest person should be selected first. If that person is unavailable or unwilling to provide instructions, the next eligible person in that category should be approached before moving to the next category.

The order of priority is as follows:

  1. The executor named in the donor’s will.
  2. The spouse of the donor, or a person with whom the donor cohabited as a spouse in a relationship of some permanence.
  3. An adult child of the donor.
  4. A parent or legal custodian of the donor.
  5. An adult brother or sister of the donor.
  6. A grandparent of the donor.
  7. An adult grandchild of the donor.
  8. An adult uncle or aunt of the donor.
  9. An adult nephew or niece of the donor.
  10. A more distant relative, determined by counting up to the common ancestor and down to the relative to determine who is closest.
  11. Another adult person who had a relationship with the donor that was not based on a family relationship.