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Life · Chapter 6 · Beneficiaries

Per Stirpes Distribution

Definition
"By the bloodline" — a deceased beneficiary's share passes to their heirs (down the family branch). Makes contingent designations largely unnecessary.
Exam tip
Per capita = per head, living beneficiaries only, the DEFAULT. Per stirpes = by branch, heirs inherit the share.
Easy to confuse with

These are what this term gets tested against — if you can't tell them apart cold, drill the contrast.

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Verified against primary sources · 2026-08-10