Let’s say an original IRA owner has 2 adult children and 3 adult grandchildren who are named as non-spouse beneficiaries with Fidelity. They will set up their own separate Inherited IRA accounts upon the original owners death. No spouse involved (deceased 2006).

What does the original IRA owner need to do so that if any of them pre-decease her, OR disclaim their share, then that money goes to the remaining beneficiaries, and NOT go to either the estate or anyone down the line (per stirpes?) ?

My guess is that she should name them all as primary beneficiaries without marking them as per stirpes.

Some articles say it would go to the original owner’s estate if a contingent beneficiary isn’t named. But Fidelity says you aren’t suppose to name primary beneficiaries as contingent beneficiaries. I’m confused. Maybe that’s if there’s only one beneficiary?

Thanks for your time. I hope this makes sense.