A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A lapse statute, also known as an anti-lapse statute, is a legal rule that prevents a gift in a will or trust from failing or "lapsing" if the intended recipient dies before the person who made the will or trust. Instead of the gift going to the deceased recipient's heirs or to the state, the lapse statute allows the gift to pass to the recipient's descendants, as long as the will or trust does not indicate otherwise.

Example: Let's say that John creates a will that leaves his house to his sister, Mary. However, if Mary dies before John, the will does not specify what should happen to the house. Under common law, the gift would fail, and the house would pass to John's heirs or to the state. However, if the state where John lives has a lapse statute, the gift would pass to Mary's children or other descendants, as long as the will does not indicate otherwise.

Explanation: This example illustrates how a lapse statute can prevent a gift from failing if the intended recipient dies before the person who made the will or trust. Instead of the gift going to the deceased recipient's heirs or to the state, the lapse statute allows the gift to pass to the recipient's descendants, as long as the will or trust does not indicate otherwise.