What term describes the process of combining the decedent’s estate with advancements to compute equal shares?

• A. Hotchpot
• B. Residue
• C. Probate
• D. Per stirpes

Answer: (A)

Hotchpot describes pooling the decedent’s estate with advancements to compute equal shares. Advancements are lifetime gifts to heirs that are treated as if they were part of the estate when dividing assets. By bringing those advances into the hotchpot, the total value is considered as a single pool, and each heir’s share is adjusted so everyone ends up with an equal portion. This method prevents someone who already received a gift during life from appearing to receive more than others in the final distribution.

Residue refers to what remains after debts, expenses, and specific bequests are satisfied, not the calculation of equal shares with advancements. Probate is the legal process of proving a will and appointing an executor, not the method of distributing gifts. Per stirpes is a distribution method by representation through branches of the family, not the pooling of estate and advancements for equal shares.