How does traditional per stirpes distribution allocate shares among descendants?

Traditional per stirpes distribution is a method of dividing an estate among descendants where each branch of the family receives a share based on the number of descendants in that branch. The distribution occurs at the first generational level, meaning that the assets are divided equally among the children of the deceased. If a child has predeceased the parent, the child's share is then divided among their own children (the grandchildren of the deceased), ensuring that each branch receives its designated portion.

This approach ensures that all branches of the family are treated equitably relative to the family tree structure, regardless of the number of descendants in each branch. In contrast, other distribution methods, such as those that may favor immediate family members or exclude descendants from prior marriages, do not adhere to this equal distribution principle found in per stirpes allocations.