Ask a solicitor: What happens when someone dies without a will?

When there is no will, the order of entitlement is fixed, and only those who fall within the relevant category at each level can inherit, writes rural solicitor Deirdre Rafferty

Only where there are no siblings or their descendants does the estate pass further along the family line to more distant relatives.

Dear Deirdre,

A relative of mine recently passed away, leaving behind a small parcel of land and some savings, but it appears no will was ever made. There is no spouse or children, and while there are a number of us in the extended family, it is not clear who is actually entitled to deal with the estate or benefit from it.