CHAPTER 2. Distribution Under a Will, Trust, or Other Instrument [245. - 247.]

Cal. Probate Code - PROB 2.

in effect

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 245. Section 245.

(a) Where a will, trust, or other instrument calls for property to be distributed or taken “in the manner provided in Section 240 of the Probate Code,” or where a will, trust, or other instrument that expresses no contrary intention provides for issue or descendants to take without specifying the manner, the property to be distributed shall be distributed in the manner provided in Section 240. (b) Use of the following words without more, as applied to issue or descendants, is not an expression of contrary intention: (1) “Per capita” when living members of the designated class are not all of the same generation. (2) Contradictory wording, such as “per capita and per stirpes” or “equally and by right of representation.”

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 246. Section 246.

(a) Where a will, trust, or other instrument calls for property to be distributed or taken “in the manner provided in Section 246 of the Probate Code,” the property to be distributed shall be divided into as many equal shares as there are living children of the designated ancestor, if any, and deceased children who leave issue then living. Each living child of the designated ancestor is allocated one share, and the share of each deceased child who leaves issue then living is divided in the same manner. (b) Unless the will, trust, or other instrument expressly provides otherwise, if an instrument executed on or after January 1, 1986, calls for property to be distributed or taken “per stirpes,” “by representation,” or “by right of representation,” the property shall be distributed in the manner provided in subdivision (a). (c) If a will, trust, or other instrument executed before January 1, 1986, calls for property to be distributed or taken “per stirpes,” “by representation,” or by “right of representation,” the property shall be distributed in the manner provided in subdivision (a), absent a contrary intent of the transferor.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 247. Section 247.

(a) Where a will, trust, or other instrument calls for property to be distributed or taken “in the manner provided in Section 247 of the Probate Code,” the property to be distributed shall be divided into as many equal shares as there are living members of the nearest generation of issue then living and deceased members of that generation who leave issue then living. Each living member of the nearest generation of issue then living is allocated one share, and the remaining shares, if any, are combined and then divided and allocated in the same manner among the remaining issue as if the issue already allocated a share and their descendants were then deceased. (b) Unless the will, trust, or other instrument expressly provides otherwise, if an instrument executed on or after January 1, 1986, calls for property to be distributed or taken “per capita at each generation,” the property shall be distributed in the manner provided in subdivision (a). (c) If a will, trust, or other instrument executed before January 1, 1986, calls for property to be distributed or taken “per capita at each generation,” the property shall be distributed in the manner provided in subdivision (a), absent a contrary intent of the transferor.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026