NEXT FRIEND

(A) A person, usually a relative, appearing in court for a minor or incompetent plaintiff who are not parties to the lawsuit (usually parents appearing on behalf of their children.) (B) This term is used to signify the relations of a party who has died intestate. 2. In general no one comes within this term who is not included in the provisions of the statutes of distribution. A wife cannot, in general, claim as next of kin of her husband, nor a husband as next of kin of his wife. But when there are circumstances in a will which induce a belief of an intention to include them under this term, they will be so considered, though in the ordinary sense of the word, they are not.