The degrees of kinship are used to determine the "next of kin" or most closely related family members.  According to the rules of civil law, each person counts as one degree. 

To determine any person's degree of relation to the decedent, begin with the decedent and follow the line that connects the decedent with the other person.  Each person that must be passed through before reaching the final person adds one degree to the total, including the final person.  Certain relations are linked to definitions of that title in comparison to other relations.