What is an advancement in the context of intestate succession?

An advancement in the context of intestate succession refers to a lifetime gift that a decedent gives to an heir with the intention that it will count against the heir's share of the estate. This means that if a parent, for example, gives their child a significant gift during their lifetime, that gift is treated as an advance payment or portion of the inheritance the child would receive from the estate upon the parent's death.

This concept ensures that the distribution of an estate reflects the decedent’s intention to treat heirs fairly, taking into account any gifts already provided during their lifetime. When calculating an heir’s share, the value of any advancement is subtracted from what they would inherit, promoting a balance among siblings or other heirs.

Using this understanding, the other options do not align with the legal definition of an advancement. Charitable donations made by the deceased do not count against the shares of heirs and are unrelated to the concept of distributions among heirs. A gift that is considered an inheritance is not an advancement since it doesn't carry the implication of adjusting an heir's future share. Lastly, a transfer without intent does not fulfill the requirement that the decedent intended for a gift to reduce an heir's inheritance, which is fundamental to the concept of advancements.