My nearest relations are first cousins. I have been told that if I die without making a will they will inherit my estate. If however some of them die before me, will their children inherit the individual shares of their parents? In the unlikely event of none of my cousins surviving me, will my estate revert to the Crown?
Your cousins’ children will divide among them what their parents would have received if none of your cousins outlive you. Your estate would only revert to the Crown if no relatives at all could be found to claim the money. Surely it would be more satisfactory to make a will?