Residue

The residue is what remains of the estate once all liabilities, funeral and administration costs, and the named gifts have been satisfied. It is the catch-all that captures assets not specifically dealt with elsewhere in the Will. The people who share it are the residuary beneficiaries, and the residue itself forms the residuary estate.

A well-drafted Will always disposes of the residue so that nothing falls into a partial intestacy. Example: "I give the residue of my estate to my spouse, but if she does not survive me, to my children in equal shares." Dividing the residue by percentage or by per stirpes rules helps avoid disputes over leftover assets.