Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Abatement

Abatement is a reduction of devises when a testator's estate is insufficient to fulfill his will.

Devises are reduced in the following order:

1. Residuary devises
2. General devises
3. Specific devises and demonstrative devises

Devises of each type are reduced pro rata. The next type is not reduced until the previous type is out of money.