"Per stirpes" is a legal term you may see in a Will. Broadly, it describes an arrangement where, if a beneficiary has passed away, their share flows down their family line — to their children, and if a child has also passed away, to that child's children, and so on.
Exactly how per stirpes operates can vary, and this article is general information only. If you have questions about how shares would pass in your family's situation, you may wish to consult an estate planning attorney in your state.
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