When planning an estate, the term "Per Stirpes" is one of the most important legal designations you will encounter. It determines how your assets are distributed if one of your primary beneficiaries passes away before you do. Use this calculator to visualize how an estate is divided among children and grandchildren under a standard per stirpes distribution.
Distribution Results
What Does "Per Stirpes" Mean?
The term Per Stirpes is Latin for "by roots" or "by branch." In estate law, it refers to a method of distributing a deceased person's property so that each "branch" of the family tree receives an equal share.
If a primary beneficiary (usually a child) survives the testator (the person who made the will), they receive their allotted share. However, if that primary beneficiary dies before the testator, their share is divided equally among their own descendants (the grandchildren).
Per Stirpes vs. Per Capita
It is helpful to contrast Per Stirpes with its common alternative: Per Capita (meaning "by head").
- Per Stirpes: Assets are divided by family branch. If you have three children and one dies, that child's 1/3 share goes to their own children.
- Per Capita: Assets are divided equally among all living members of a specific group. If you leave your estate to your "descendants, per capita," and you have two living children and three grandchildren, the estate is divided into 5 equal parts.
How to Use This Calculator
To use the Per Stirpes Calculator above, follow these steps:
- Enter the Total Estate Value you wish to distribute.
- Add a "Branch" for each of your primary beneficiaries (typically your children).
- Select whether that child is Living or Deceased.
- If the child is deceased, enter the number of children they had (your grandchildren).
- Click Calculate to see the dollar amount assigned to each individual.
Why Choosing the Right Designation Matters
Failing to specify "Per Stirpes" or "Per Capita" can lead to significant legal hurdles and family disputes. Most modern wills default to Per Stirpes because it is generally considered the "fairest" way to ensure that each line of the family is treated equally, regardless of how many children each sibling has.
For example, if Child A has one child and Child B has five children, a Per Stirpes distribution ensures both Child A and Child B's "branches" receive 50% of the estate. Under certain Per Capita rules, the branch with more children might end up with a significantly larger portion of the total family wealth.