The first step is to draw a family tree;

For the first assignment, I’d like you to try your hand at an inheritance fact pattern. The first step is to draw a family tree; only then will it be possible to apply the various distribution rules.

 

John has 3 children, Steve, Tina and Samantha. Steve and Tina predecease John.

 

Steve leaves 4 children: Don, Donna, Doug and Derek.

 

Tina leaves two children: Alicia and Allison.

 

Samantha is still living, and has two children: Brittany and Bryan.

 

All of John’s grandchildren are alive at the time of his death.

 

John dies with $200,000 in assets after all expenses are paid off. In his Will, John left all his money to his “issue.”

 

Please figure out and explain:

 

a) how much money each beneficiary receives if the jurisdiction follows the rule that “issue” means “per stirpes”; and

 

b) how much money each beneficiary receives if the jurisdiction follows the rule that “issue” means “per representation.”

 

Be sure to include the family tree, and explain how you arrived at the distributions.