What is the primary purpose of anti-lapse statutes?

• A. To prevent lapse by substituting descendants
• B. To equalize bequests among heirs
• C. To enforce survivorship rights
• D. To reduce estate taxes

Answer: (A)

Anti-lapse statutes exist to prevent a bequest from failing when the named beneficiary dies before the person making the will. If the deceased beneficiary left descendants who survive the testator, the gift instead passes to those descendants, usually by representation (per stirpes). This keeps the intended gift from dying with the beneficiary and honors the beneficiary’s family line, ensuring the testator’s gift still benefits someone related to the original beneficiary. It’s not about equalizing bequests, enforcing survivorship rights, or cutting estate taxes. If there are no surviving descendants of the predeceased beneficiary, the gift typically lapses or is disposed of according to the will or state rules.