特とく別べつ縁えん故こ者しゃ

noun

person with a special relationship; special relative

Legal term used in inheritance law for someone who had a close personal or financial relationship with the deceased, such as a de facto spouse or caregiver, and may be entitled to receive estate assets when there are no statutory heirs.

• 相そう続ぞく人にんがいない場ば合あい、特とく別べつ縁えん故こ者しゃが財ざい産さんを受うけ取とることができる。

  When there are no heirs, a person with a special relationship may receive the estate.

• 彼かの女じょは長なが年ねん世せ話わをしていたので、特とく別べつ縁えん故こ者しゃとして認みとめられた。

  Because she had taken care of him for many years, she was recognized as a special relative.