Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Search
Accessibility Menu

What Does Per Stirpes Mean?

By Matthew Frankel, CFP – Updated Aug 16, 2024 at 10:20AM

Key Points

  • Per stirpes ensures heirs and their descendants inherit even if the heir dies before you.
  • Per capita divides assets only among living heirs, excluding descendants of deceased heirs.
  • Choosing between per stirpes or per capita depends on your family structure and preferences.
Key findings are powered by ChatGPT and based solely off the content from this article. Findings are reviewed by our editorial team. The author and editors take ultimate responsibility for the content.

Our Guides

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.