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Distributions in Pennsylvania: per capita with representation, and when to distribute

A distribution is where a trustee's decisions become visible. This guide explains Pennsylvania's default division, why the trust's own words come first, and the statutes that bear on timing.

Повний текст цього посібника англійською; короткий виклад вище — вашою мовою. Виклади законів і англійський текст залишаються джерелом запису.

Distributions · 6 хв читання

Pennsylvania's default division

For intestate succession, 20 Pa.C.S. §2104 provides that a share passing to issue or collateral relatives is divided into as many equal shares as there are persons in the nearest degree living and persons in that degree who died leaving issue: one share to each living person, and one passing by representation to each deceased person's issue. That is per capita with representation — the default the Distribution Calculator labels for Pennsylvania.

A trust's own words control its distributions. Where the trust says "per stirpes", "by representation" or "per capita", it is the trust's terms that decide, and the calculator shows each system's exact fractions side by side so a trustee can see what each word would mean.

Discretion and the beneficiaries

A trustee exercises a discretionary distribution power in good faith and in accordance with the trust's terms and purposes and the beneficiaries' interests (20 Pa.C.S. §7780.4), and impartially among beneficiaries with different interests (§7773). A beneficiary's creditor cannot compel a discretionary distribution, subject to the exceptions the statute states (§7744).

Timing: the creditor protections and the reserve

After a settlor's death, a trustee who gave the required notice and distributes at its own risk does so without liability to a creditor whose claim was not known to the trustee within 13 months after the first complete advertisement of letters — or one year after the trustee's own advertisement, where no personal representative was appointed (20 Pa.C.S. §7755(e)).

On an event terminating the trust, the trustee distributes within a reasonable time to the persons entitled, subject to the right to keep a reasonable reserve for debts, expenses and taxes (20 Pa.C.S. §7780.7).

Закони, дослівно

  • Rules of succession

    20 Pa.C.S. §2104 ↗

    Зрозуміле просте пояснення; дослівний текст статуту ще не засвідчено в нашій бібліотеці. Дивіться офіційний статут за посиланням вище.

  • Claims and distribution after settlor's death

    20 Pa.C.S. §7755 ↗

    Зрозуміле просте пояснення; дослівний текст статуту ще не засвідчено в нашій бібліотеці. Дивіться офіційний статут за посиланням вище.

  • Discretionary powers

    20 Pa.C.S. §7780.4 ↗

    Зрозуміле просте пояснення; дослівний текст статуту ще не засвідчено в нашій бібліотеці. Дивіться офіційний статут за посиланням вище.

  • Distribution upon termination

    20 Pa.C.S. §7780.7 ↗

    Зрозуміле просте пояснення; дослівний текст статуту ще не засвідчено в нашій бібліотеці. Дивіться офіційний статут за посиланням вище.

Поширені запитання

What is per capita with representation in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's intestate division: equal shares for each person in the nearest degree living and each person in that degree who died leaving issue, the deceased person's share passing by representation to that person's issue (20 Pa.C.S. §2104).

Does the intestate rule control a Pennsylvania trust's distributions?

No. The trust's own words control its distributions; §2104 governs intestate succession and is the default the calculator labels for comparison.

How long should a Pennsylvania trustee wait before distributing?

The statute sets protections rather than a waiting period: a trustee who distributes at its own risk is protected against claims not known within 13 months after the first complete advertisement of letters (20 Pa.C.S. §7755(e)). Many trustees discuss timing with a licensed Pennsylvania attorney of their choosing.

Навчальний центр — це загальна інформація про закони Пенсільванії, а не юридична консультація і не заміна пораді ліцензованого юриста Пенсільванії щодо ваших конкретних фактів. TrusteeClear — це програма, а не юридична фірма.