About the Inheritance Split Calculator
This inheritance calculator shows how much each beneficiary actually receives from an estate. Start with the gross value of everything the person owned, subtract debts, funeral and probate costs, any estate or inheritance tax and specific gifts named in the will, and the residue is divided among the heirs — equally, by custom shares, or between a surviving spouse and children.
Executors use it to prepare a distribution schedule, and heirs use it to understand what to expect before an estate is settled. Custom shares let you model unequal splits (for example 2 shares for one child and 1 for each of the others) or per stirpes gifts where a late child’s share passes to their own children.
The spouse-and-children mode lets you enter your state’s intestacy rule as a fixed amount plus a percentage — for instance, the Uniform Probate Code gives a spouse a set dollar amount plus half the balance when the deceased has children from another relationship. Intestacy rules differ by state and country, so confirm the figures for the relevant jurisdiction.
With the default inputs, the amount shared among heirs is $700,000.00. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the inheritance split calculator
- 1Enter the gross value of the estate’s assets.
- 2Enter debts, final expenses, any estate tax and specific gifts.
- 3Choose to split by shares or between a spouse and children.
- 4List heirs with their shares, or set the spouse rule and number of children.
- 5Review each heir’s amount in the distribution schedule.
Formula and method
Estates are settled in a fixed order: debts and administration costs (funeral, probate court, attorney and executor fees) are paid first, then taxes, then specific gifts named in the will. Whatever remains — the residuary estate — is divided among the residuary heirs. If the estate cannot cover the specific gifts in full, they are reduced (abatement).
In share mode each heir receives their shares divided by the total number of shares. In spouse-and-children mode the spouse first takes the fixed amount, then the chosen percentage of the rest, and the children split the remainder equally. With no children the spouse takes everything.
- sᵢ
- Shares assigned to heir i
- Σs
- Total shares across all heirs
- Gifts
- Specific and charitable bequests paid before the residue
Worked examples
$800k estate split 2:1:1
After $50,000 of debts, $30,000 of costs and $20,000 of specific gifts, $700,000 remains. With four shares in total, each share is worth $175,000, so Alice receives $350,000 and Ben and Chris $175,000 each.
Spouse takes $150,000 plus half, two children
The residue is $565,000. The spouse takes the first $150,000 plus half of the remaining $415,000, for $357,500. The two children share the other $207,500 — $103,750 each.
Per stirpes shares plus a half share to charity
With $390,000 to share across 3.5 shares, each full share is worth about $111,429. The grandchildren take their late parent’s full share together, and the charity’s half share is about $55,714.
Space-separated shares, one heir with 0 shares
After $15,000 of debts and costs, $235,000 is left. "Maria 3" and "Tom 1" are read as 3 shares and 1 share (a space works as well as a comma), and Lee, with 0 shares, is left out with a note. Each of the 4 shares is worth $58,750, so Maria receives $176,250 and Tom $58,750.
Frequently asked questions
How is an inheritance divided when there is a will?+
The executor pays valid debts, expenses and taxes, distributes any specific gifts, then divides the residuary estate exactly as the will directs — equally or in the stated fractions. Assets with named beneficiaries, like life insurance and retirement accounts, pass outside the will.
What happens if someone dies without a will?+
State intestacy laws decide who inherits. Typically the surviving spouse receives all or a large part of the estate, and children share the rest; if there is no spouse or children, parents, siblings and more distant relatives inherit in a set order.
Do heirs have to pay the deceased’s debts?+
Generally no. Debts are paid from the estate before heirs receive anything, and if the estate runs out, most remaining debts go unpaid. Heirs are only personally liable if they co-signed, held a joint account, or live in a community property state for certain spousal debts.
What does per stirpes mean?+
Per stirpes means that if a beneficiary dies before the person who made the will, that beneficiary’s share passes down to their own children, who split it equally. In this calculator, give the grandchildren together the share their parent would have received.
Is inheritance taxable?+
In the US there is no federal inheritance tax; the federal estate tax only applies to estates above the basic exclusion amount ($15 million per person for deaths in 2026) and is paid by the estate, not the heirs. A handful of states charge estate or inheritance taxes, and income from inherited assets, such as IRA withdrawals, can be taxable.
Results are general estimates and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction — consult a qualified attorney.
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