In the case of a man who dies, leaving behind a mother, sister, ex-wife, and live-in girlfriend, who is generally considered the legal next-of-kin?

The legal next-of-kin is usually determined by the hierarchy established in state intestate succession laws. Typically, the first in this hierarchy is the spouse, but since there is an ex-wife in this scenario and no current spouse, the order falls down to blood relatives.

In this case, the mother is considered the primary next-of-kin because parents are often prioritized over siblings in inheritance laws. This makes the mother the first legal heir when no surviving spouse exists. Following the mother in the hierarchy would be the sister, but since the mother is alive, she takes precedence.

The ex-wife does not hold any legal claim to estate matters once a divorce has been finalized, regardless of any past relationship. The live-in girlfriend, while potentially considered a significant other, typically does not have legal standing unless there are specific legal documents like a will that names her as a beneficiary or next-of-kin, which is not indicated in this scenario.

Understanding the legal definitions and hierarchies of kinship is essential in determining next-of-kin status, as these rules guide the distribution of an estate when someone passes away without a will.