Is the failure to maintain ties with paternal relatives considered a severance of kinship in light of existing disputes and boycotts due to their actions? What are the consequences of that? And is communicating with the children of paternal aunts considered maintaining ties with the aunts themselves?

Maintaining kinship ties (Silat ar-Rahim) is obligatory, and severing them is forbidden. The misbehavior of a relative does not negate their right to be connected. Therefore, it is not permissible to completely abandon paternal uncles and aunts. Repentance is due for having severed ties with the deceased paternal uncle. It is obligatory to maintain ties with living paternal uncles and aunts, and connecting with their children does not substitute for connecting with the paternal aunt herself. Kinship ties have degrees, and the lowest degree is to cease abandonment and offer greetings of peace (salam).