Legal Definitions - tableau of distribution

The tableau of distribution is a term used in civil law to refer to a formal document that lists all the creditors of a deceased person's estate and specifies the exact amount of money each creditor is legally entitled to receive from the estate's assets.

Essentially, when someone passes away, their estate (which includes all their assets and debts) needs to be settled. If there are more debts than can be immediately paid, or if there are multiple creditors, the estate's administrator or executor creates this detailed list. It ensures that all legitimate creditors are identified and that the available funds are distributed according to legal priorities and entitlements before any remaining assets go to heirs.

• Example 1: Settling a Deceased Individual's Estate

  After Mr. Davies passed away, his executor gathered all his assets, including bank accounts and the proceeds from selling his car. The executor also identified all outstanding debts: a credit card balance, a personal loan from a bank, and unpaid medical bills. To ensure a fair and legally compliant distribution, the executor prepared a tableau of distribution. This document meticulously listed each creditor (e.g., "First National Bank for personal loan," "MediCare Services," "Capital One Credit Card") and detailed the precise amount each was to be paid from the estate's remaining funds, adhering to the legal order of priority for debt repayment.

• Example 2: An Estate with Insufficient Funds (Insolvent Estate)

  Mrs. Rodriguez's estate, after all assets were liquidated, had a total of $75,000 available. However, her outstanding debts amounted to $100,000, including a mortgage payment, several utility bills, and a significant amount owed to a private lender. Because the estate was insolvent (meaning it didn't have enough money to pay all debts in full), the estate's administrator created a tableau of distribution. This document listed all creditors and, based on legal priorities (e.g., secured debts like mortgages often take precedence), specified how the $75,000 would be allocated. For instance, it might show the mortgage lender receiving a partial payment, utility companies receiving full payment, and the private lender receiving a pro-rata share or nothing, depending on the specific laws governing creditor priority in that jurisdiction. This clearly illustrates what each creditor is "entitled to" under the law, even if it's less than the original debt.

• Example 3: Estate of a Deceased Small Business Owner

  Mr. Lee, who owned a small graphic design studio as a sole proprietorship, passed away unexpectedly. His estate included personal assets like his home and savings, as well as business assets and liabilities. The executor faced the task of settling both personal debts (e.g., a car loan, personal credit card) and business debts (e.g., unpaid invoices from suppliers, outstanding rent for the studio space). The executor compiled a comprehensive tableau of distribution. This list included all creditors, both personal and business, such as "Auto Finance Corp.," "Office Supply Co.," and "Landlord for Studio Lease." The tableau then clearly outlined the specific amount each of these diverse creditors was legally entitled to receive from the combined assets of Mr. Lee's personal and business estate, ensuring all obligations were addressed systematically.