Is avoiding kin and relatives due to long distance and lack of means of communication considered a severance of ties, despite the absence of enmity?

If you are unable to communicate verbally with your relatives, you are not considered a severer of ties, because obligation is contingent upon ability. You can maintain ties with them through whatever means you are able, such as writing letters, or with money, or by supplication. Maintaining ties is done by showing kindness to relatives according to the circumstances of both the one maintaining ties and the one with whom ties are maintained. Maintaining ties of kinship has various levels; the lowest is abandoning estrangement and exchanging greetings, and it varies according to ability and need.