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Letter A
estate planning

Advancement

A lifetime gift from a parent to a child treated, under statute or written declaration, as a prepayment against that child's intestate share of the parent's estate.

Encyclopedia entry: Advancement

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advancement

An advancement is a gift made during a donor’ s life to a family member, usually when the donor anticipates their own death. The value of the advancement is included in the calculation of the net probate estate  when the donor dies. Therefore, the advancement has the effect of reducing the share of the probate estate that the family member receives by intestate succession . The primary purpose of an advancement is to further the equal treatment of heirs  within the applicable intestacy statute’s distribution pattern.

See e.g.; In re Nielsen’s Estate 169 Cal.App.2d 297(1959).

[Last reviewed in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team
]

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Encyclopedia content from Cornell LII Wex (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5).

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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.