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Simple English definitions for legal terms
pars rationabilis
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A quick definition of pars rationabilis:
Pars rationabilis is a custom that was followed in York. When a man died without leaving a will, his belongings were divided in a fair way. One-third of the belongings went to the man's wife, one-third to his children, and one-third to the administrator. If the man was married but had no children or was single but had children, then half of the belongings went to the administrator. If the man was single with no children, then all of the belongings went to the administrator.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Pars rationabilis is a custom that was prevalent in York. It refers to the division of a male intestate's effects according to a reasonable part. This means that one-third of the effects would go to the widow, one-third to the children, and one-third to the administrator. However, if the man was married but had no children or was single but had children, then one-half of the effects would go to the administrator. If the man was single with no children, then all of the effects would go to the administrator.
Example: If a man in York died without leaving a will and had a wife and two children, his effects would be divided into three equal parts. One-third would go to his wife, one-third to each of his children, and one-third to the administrator.
Explanation: This example illustrates how the doctrine of pars rationabilis was applied in York. The man's effects were divided into three equal parts, with each part going to a specific beneficiary. This ensured that each beneficiary received a reasonable share of the man's estate.