Per Stirpes at Legal Glossary

What is it? Under a will, a method of determining who inherits property when a joint beneficiary has died before the willmaker, leaving living children of his or her own. For example, Fred leaves his house jointly to his son Alan and his daughter Julie. But Alan dies before Fred, leaving two young children. If Freds will states that heirs of a deceased beneficiary are to receive the property per stirpes, Julie will receive one-half of the property, and Alans two children will share his half in equal shares (through Alan by right of representation). If, on the other hand, Freds will states that the property is to be divided per capita, Julie and the two grandchildren will each take a third.

Law Definition Added By: Kevin

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