What method divides up an estate by giving equal shares to individuals related in the same degree to the decedent?

The correct answer is associated with a method that distributes an estate by giving equal shares to individuals who are related to the same degree of kinship to the decedent. This approach is termed "per capita," which translates to "by heads" or "by persons." Under this method, if a decedent passes away and leaves behind a certain amount of assets, those assets are divided equally among the living individuals in that same relationship to the deceased.

For instance, if a decedent has three children, and one child has already passed away leaving behind two grandchildren, the estate would be divided equally among the three living children. If one child has passed, the remaining share of that child does not go to their descendants under per capita distribution—it simply goes to the living siblings. This ensures that every individual gets an equal portion regardless of their generational status.

In contrast, other methods, such as per stirpes, distribute the estate differently, taking into consideration the lineage of descendants so that if a descendant is deceased, their share is then allotted to their children. This creates a hierarchy based on family branches rather than treating all individuals of the same generation equally. The other choices do not accurately describe the method in question, focusing on different concepts of property distribution or