What phrase describes the relationship of a decedent to their relatives, with each generation counting as one degree?

The phrase that accurately describes the relationship of a decedent to their relatives, with each generation counting as one degree, is "degree of kindred." This term refers to the specific measure of the relationship between family members, which is quantified based on the number of generations that separate them from a common ancestor. For example, a parent is one degree away from their child, and a grandparent is two degrees away from their grandchild.

The concept of degree of kindred is important in legal contexts, particularly concerning inheritance laws, where understanding familial relationships can influence the distribution of an estate. It provides a systematic way to establish how closely related individuals are, which can impact rights and responsibilities in various situations.

Other terms listed serve different purposes: "lineal descent" describes the direct ancestry line (parents to children), "family tree" refers to the visual representation of relationships within a family, and "kinship calculation" is a broader term that could encompass various methods of determining familial relationships but does not specifically denote the systematic degree structure.