In most Australian states, the people who are entitled to take a share of the estate are decided in order of priority as follows:

a) The married spouse or civil partner (including 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 their 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.

To find out more about how the rules of intestacy operate, click here for more information.