Yes, he was. The situation with my family was very difficult at the time, as my parents had disowned me. This made my former in-laws technically my next of kin; to be on the safe side, we'd had a declaration drawn up in front of a solicitor stating that he was considered my legal next-of-kin and that I recognised no others (in effect, I disowned them in return). I believe the arrangement still stands, as I've never actually rescinded it; however I have reddragdiva listed as my emergency contact on my MedicAlert necklace and we're currently arranging right of attorney for him over my affairs in the event of my incapacitance, so he would now be considered my legal next-of-kin.

Your children don't count as next-of-kin as they are minors; depending on your relationship with him your father would be, or your girlfriend in his stead (partners count as next-of-kin in legal terms).