Per Stirpes: A Latin phrase meaning “per branch” is used to describe a way of distributing property according to familial ties. In a per stirpes distribution, each branch of the family receives an equal share of the estate, even if the original heir of one branch is deceased. So, if the person leaving the estate had three offspring, one of whom predeceased her or him, that deceased heir’s children would receive the share that would have been their parent’s.