(1) If an applicable statute or a governing instrument calls for the property to be distributed “by representation” or “per capita at each generation”, the property is divided into as many equal shares as there are surviving descendants in the generation nearest to the designated ancestor that contains 1 or more surviving descendants and deceased descendants in the same generation who left surviving descendants, if any. Each surviving descendant in the nearest generation is allocated 1 share. The remaining shares, if any, are combined and then divided in the same manner among the surviving descendants of the deceased descendants as if the surviving descendants who were allocated a share and their surviving descendants had predeceased the distribution date. This rule of construction applies to documents originally created on and after April 1, 2000, and to all instruments amended on and after April 1, 2000, that use the phrase “by representation” or “per capita at each generation”. If an amendment uses either phrase, the rule of this section applies to the entire instrument.
  (2) If a governing instrument calls for property to be distributed “per stirpes”, the property is divided into as many equal shares as there are surviving children of the designated ancestor and deceased children who left surviving descendants. Each surviving child, if any, is allocated 1 share. The share of each deceased child with surviving descendants is divided in the same manner, with subdivision repeating at each succeeding generation until the property is fully allocated among surviving descendants.

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Terms Used In Michigan Laws 700.2718

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Child: includes , but is not limited to, an individual entitled to take as a child under this act by intestate succession from the parent whose relationship is involved. See Michigan Laws 700.1103
  • Descendant: means , in relation to an individual, all of his or her descendants of all generations, with the relationship of parent and child at each generation being determined by the definitions of child and parent contained in this act. See Michigan Laws 700.1103
  • Governing instrument: means a deed; will; trust; funeral representative designation; insurance or annuity policy; account with POD designation; security registered in beneficiary form (TOD); pension, profit-sharing, retirement, or similar benefit plan; instrument creating or exercising a power of appointment or a power of attorney; or dispositive, appointive, or nominative instrument of any similar type. See Michigan Laws 700.1104
  • Property: means anything that may be the subject of ownership, and includes both real and personal property or an interest in real or personal property. See Michigan Laws 700.1106
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  (3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), a deceased individual who left no surviving descendant is disregarded, and an individual who leaves a surviving ancestor who is a descendant of the designated ancestor is not entitled to a share.
  (4) As used in this section:
  (a) “Deceased child” or “deceased descendant” means a child or descendant who either predeceases the distribution date or is considered to predecease the distribution date under section 2702.
  (b) “Distribution date” means, with respect to an interest, the time when the interest is to take effect in possession or enjoyment. The distribution date does not need to occur at the beginning or end of a calendar day, but can occur at a time during the course of a day.
  (c) “Surviving ancestor”, “surviving child”, or “surviving descendant” means an ancestor, a child, or a descendant who does not predecease the distribution date and is not considered to have predeceased the distribution date under section 2702.