Skip to main content

Articles

Reminders and Recommendations on How to Use Boilerplate Language Thoughtfully and Intentionally

Date

September 15, 2021

Read Time

1 minute

Share


The default rule for intestate transfer in many jurisdictions is to allocate the estate among descendants per stirpes, a Latin term meaning “by roots.” This allows the shares to be divided fairly among multiple generations of descendants when some descendants may have predeceased the decedent.  While this succinct phrase appears to provide a straightforward drafting solution, there are several common mistakes that a drafter can make when using the term “per stirpes” in a will that could create a result contrary to what the testator intended.

Lauren Wolven and Stephanie Ross recently co-authored an article published in Thomson Reuter’s Estate Planning magazine regarding considerations and recommendations on how to use boilerplate language thoughtfully and intentionally.

Originally published in Estate Planning, a Thomson Reuters publication. © 2021 Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting.


Filed under: Trusts & Estates

September 18, 2024

Solving the Rubik’s Cube of Taxes, Residence, and Citizenship

Read More

August 28, 2024

Powers of Appointment and Issues That Can Arise with Trusts

Read More