how is next of kin determined 
determining the next of kin and inheritance varies by jurisdiction in the united kingdom inheritance matters are handled as per succession laws 5 in other countries the laws about next of kin help settle the estates of people who die intestate 4 the right of someone to inherit or receive property in the u s by inheritance exists by way of state laws and legislative action 2will next of kin automatically get life insurance and ira benefits in most cases the next of kin status doesn t matter this means that the proceeds from life insurance policies and retirement accounts are transferred to the beneficiaries named by a decedent even if the decedent designates different people in their will 6this changes if the decedent is married and lives in a community property state in this case the surviving spouse is legally entitled to an equal portion of any funds earned or accrued during the marriage unless the spouse signs a waiver 97the bottom linenext of kin refers to a person s closest living relative such as children or a spouse in estate planning next of kin is important in that next of kin typically takes precedence over any other individuals for an inheritance usually when a will does not exist each country and sometimes different jurisdictions within the country have different inheritance rights most often the spouse inherits the estate if there is no spouse then it is usually the children if there are no children the next of kin relationship continues to find the closest living relative 