WorldSeptember 3, 2026
hotchpot
HOCH-pot
Definition
A legal procedure in the administration of an estate where advancements or gifts made to beneficiaries during the deceased's lifetime are brought into the total estate to ensure equal distribution.
Etymology
Derived from the Old French 'hochepot,' meaning a mixture or stew in a pot, the term historically referred to combining disparate things into a single mass before dividing them equally.
In the news
The word is listed under a case summary regarding the distribution of assets, highlighting its relevance in legal disputes where the fairness of inheritances is being contested.
Elder law & succession: September 2026
Read the full article ↗Law Society Journal