Question regarding intestacy rules.

The law is the Administration of Estates Act 1925.

Fourthly, on the statutory trusts for the uncles and aunts of the intestate (being brothers or sisters of the whole blood of a parent of the intestate); but if no person takes an absolutely vested interest under such trusts;

The term statutory trusts is key there. It means where assets are held in trust as defined and governed by a specific law or statute, rather than by a private agreement or will. This is common in cases of intestacy where assets are automatically placed in trust for the benefit of children.

Here's another text confirming that issue of aunts and uncles are next in line:

iwcprobateservices.co.uk/downloads/freeforms/IntestacyRules.pdf

... If no grandparents but uncles or aunts of the whole blood including the children of any such uncles or aunts who predeceased ...

As we seem to have knowledgeable people on here can anyone tell me if I apply for a copy of someone’s will, will the executors, legatees be informed in any way?
My SiL told my H and I, we and his siblings were to inherit something on her death, her H had died some years before and they had no children.
Her own siblings pre- deceased her.
We never heard a word after her death and I am intrigued as to what the will said.

... if I apply for a copy of someone’s Will, will the executors, legatees be informed in any way ...

No. Assuming this was in England or Wales - you can apply online through the Probate Service. It costs £1.50.

probatesearch.service.gov.uk/

Your brother, as the executor of the estate, should engage a solicitor. The solicitor will then engage a genealogy company who will then try to trace the 1st cousins and children of the deceased 1st cousins for the intestate part of the will from your family tree. 2nd cousins cannot inherit under intestate laws.

Your solicitor will advise you what to do with regards to insurance.

My husband’s cousin died without leaving a will. There were 22 beneficiaries including 1st cousins and children of deceased 1st cousins.

One of the cousins agree to become the executor. The estate took 4 years to settle, there was a big question mark whether the cousin who died in France had an illegitimate daughter and a lot of time was spent trying to trace her.

The biggest beneficiary is the Inland Revenue and the solicitor received as much as the cousins.

The Probate Dept will give you advice. As there is a will, there will be a protocol to follow regarding ‘ table of consanguinity’. It clarifies family connections.