The following people are entitled to take a share of the deceased’s Estate and are listed in order of priority:

a) The married spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner;
b) Children or grandchildren;
c) Parents;
d) Siblings of the whole blood or their children or grandchildren;
e) Siblings of the half blood or the children or grandchildren;
f) Grandparents;
g) Aunts and uncles of the whole blood or their children or grandchildren;
h) Aunts and uncles of the half blood or their children or grandchildren.

A step-child is not considered to fall within one of the above groups and therefore does not have an automatic right to receive part of the Estate.

To find out more about how the rules of intestacy operate, click here for an over-view.