Under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, the "family" of a sthanamdar includes:

The Explanation to s. 7(3) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 says the family of a sthanamdar includes "every branch of that family, whether divided or undivided", whose male members would by custom have been entitled to succeed to the sthanam. Divided branches are included, and the family is not limited to members living jointly or to Class I heirs.