Per Stirpes Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Per Stirpes.

Per Stirpes

(Latin Phrase, used as adverb in legal context)

Per Stirpes is a term originating from Latin, meaning "by roots" or "by right of representation". In the context of a will or estate, it refers to a method of dividing property wherein if a beneficiary cannot be present or has died, their share of the inheritance is divided equally among their descendants. These descendants "represent" the original beneficiary, and therefore, receive their portion of the estate.