Aunt Passed without a will

[Tropical]

Please bear with me, I am asking for any help or advice for a very good friend.
My friend's aunt passed away without a will about 5 and half years ago.
The family tree has already been done by the appropriate people, there are 3 close relatives (2 nieces and one nephew) and with about 40 others who are not as close kin so total 43 that will benefit from the estate monies etc.

At the moment the solicitors are holding things up because 6 have not replied or signed what ever needs signing to receive monies from the aunt's estate. Bearing in mind this has taken just over 5 years.

My question or questions are, Don't the nearest kin ie nieces and nephews take priority over the others. Is it by law that the others who have not replied looses out, or is there a time limit for those who have not replied.

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated
Sorry can't mention any names

Many thanks in advance
Pam

[hepburn]

When my Husbands cousin died without parents or siblings or children,the money went to his first cousins,eight all told.

[Tropical]

Thank you, I think the whole thing is a fast, I would of thought nieces and nephew would take priority over the others who are not close kin..

[bearkat]

 When someone dies without making a will there are rules as to who can inherit.  See:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/who-can-inherit-if-there-is-no-will-the-rules-of-intestacy/

More distant relatives may be entitled to a share of the estate if their parents have died.

As for people not responding, I think their share can be lodged with the courts but there would be costs (aren't there always).  It's probably best to ask the solicitor.

[hepburn]

I should have said none of the money went to the cousin's children.

[Jebber]

There is an Inheritance calculator on the GOV.UK website under Probate. It’s very simple to use.