Usually when a will is drawn up, it is advisable to name others to benefit should the named beneficaries die prior to probate. Generally this is carried out to stop it becoming intestate. As already stated, if anyone due to inherit from a will dies before the person leaving the will, it will pass to the next beneficiary mentioned, unless of course the person decides to change the will in order to name someone else to inherit all or part of the estate. I know that 30 days has to pass from the death of the person leaving the will to the death of the person inheriting the whole estate though.