Per Stirpes: Meaning, Importance, Example

What Does Per Stirpes Mean?

By Matthew Frankel, CFP – Updated Aug 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM

Key Points

Per stirpes ensures descendants inherit an equal share of an estate, even if an heir predeceases.
Per capita divides estate equally only among living heirs, excluding descendants of deceased heirs.
Choosing per stirpes in a will can protect interests of grandchildren if their parent (your child) dies first.

One of the most important parts of estate planning is making a will, and when you make yours, there are a couple of different ways you can choose to divide your assets among your heirs. Per stirpes is one of these ways, and for many people it is the preferred way to set up asset transfer upon death. Let's look at what per stirpes means, an example, and whether it’s better than the alternative.

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Estate Planning written on paper with calculator and small metal house on top. — Image source: Getty Images

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About the Author

Matt Frankel, CFP, is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst and personal finance expert covering financial stocks, REITs, SPACs, and personal finance. Prior to The Motley Fool, Matt taught high school and college mathematics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of South Carolina, a master’s degree in mathematics from Nova Southeastern University, and a graduate certificate in financial planning from Florida State University. He won a SABEW award for coverage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He is also regularly interviewed by Cheddar, The National Desk, and other TV networks and publications for his financial, stock market, and investing expertise.

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