If the wife dies, it the husband still a son in law to her family?

Question

My husbands first wife died. The family are jerks and are trying to block him out after 19 years of marriage to her. Is he still their son in law?

Answer 1

No. After being no longer legally married to his first wife he was no longer her parents' son in law.

Definition of son in law: The husband of one's daughter. He is no longer her husband, therefore he is no longer her parents' son in law.

Answer 2

Technically, yes (at least in your case), but I also think it depends on the relationship in which the family has with the "son-in-law." By the "sounds" of it, the family has divorced your husband. So now, it really depends on what label your husband wants to "stick on his forehead." If you haven't already, talk to your husband about the issues you are having because it would probably be a good idea to eject the other family out of the picture if they are not willing to claim him as a son-in-law.

Answer 3

well you would think after 19 years the family would still at least want to talk to him but families can be strange sometimes. loosing a part of it can make people close up instead of reaching out. since he married into the family and was not an intial member, it sounds like they are closing up. it sucks that they won't reach out considering she was his wife and he lost her too, but that's the way it works too often. he has you now so they may feel they don't need to be involved anymore. pain makes people unpredictable, so just keep supporting him and let him know that even though they are behaving this way he still has someone who loves and cares about him!

Answer 4

He most definitely is still a part of the family. Come on the wife died...he didn't divorce her! Maybe they are reminded of the hurt of losing their daughter when they are around him. He needs to be honest about how they are treating him. They loved their daughter....but he also loved his wife!

Is the estrangement since the two of you married??? Maybe they are hurt that he remarried/that he found someone to replace their daughter? They need to understand that life still goes on. Getting married again does not replace the love or the memories that he had with their daughter. But it does mean that he is healing and dealing with the loss...and that he has chosen to live again!

Answer 5

So wicked!Why block him out after 19 years old of MARRIAGE TO HER ??
He is still their son in law

Answer 6

We are dealing with a similar situation. I can tell you it's hard as a parent never thinks to bury their children.
No though he's no longer their son in law but they should be at least polite to him.

Answer 7

I can tell you that my late wife and I were married for 26 years and together for 30 years and after she passed away her intire family still call me "FAMILY"!!! If there is any childern involved -- her parents are still their Grandchildern, Aunts and Uncles still Aunts and Uncles and him still an "INLAW"!! Even if he were to remarry at some point -- it does not change the fact that he and the childern (if any) are STILL FAMILY!!!

Answer 8

Technically, no. Your husband is no longer "related" to his first wife's family. However, that is no reason for them to be jerks. My husband is still cool with his 1st wife's mother (his children's grandmother). He also keeps in contact with his 1st wife's children (his "ex-stepchildren").

Answer 9

Sure why not. When you married her didnt her family become yours too and vice versa? Why not still consider them family. You have to remember you and her family now have something very much in common you both lost her.

Answer 10

No, once the marriage is over, they are no longer in laws.