How can I make my own will in India?

Asked by: Kasey Hettinger V  |  Last update: July 21, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (4 votes)

As long as you are not a minor and have a sound mind, you can prepare a will, as per the Indian Succession Act 1925. A will can be either written by hand or typewritten, but the former is more convincing if such a situation arises. Having multiple legal heirs without a will can lead to many complications and doubts.

Can I make a will without a lawyer in India?

As they mentioned, writing a will without a lawyer is not difficult. Just find a simple format or template online and print it. After that, make a list of each of your self-owned assets and mention who gets what after your death. Mention the executor or the person who will ensure your wishes are carried out.

How can I make a legal will in India?

How To Make The Will Legally Valid?
  1. Drafting – Draft your Will on a plain paper or Stamp paper. ...
  2. Signature – The Testator should sign the Will just below the last sentence in order to avoid any inclusions in between.

Can a US citizen make a will in India?

You need to create 2 different will for 2 different countries. for US property a separate will to be created. for Indian property you need create separate will and to be registered. also for registering the will in India the person concerned need to be present physically.

What is the cost of making a will in India?

Cost of Preparing a Will in India

The cost of making a Will in India is between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000, which includes the cost of only preparing the Will. There is no need to pay any government fees to register a Will, except for the nominal scanning and photocopy charges.

How To Make a Valid Will In Less Than Four Minutes

23 related questions found

Is an American will valid in India?

A foreign will, once proved and deposited in a court of competent jurisdiction, or a properly authenticated copy of the will and letters of administration will be recognised by the Indian Courts.

Is a notarized will valid in India?

Ensure that the witness is a trustworthy person and should not be a beneficiary to avoid the conflict of interest. There is no need to notarize a will in India and thus need not to notarize the signatures of the witnesses in the presence of a notary.

How can NRI make a will in India?

If such concerns do not exist, registration can be omitted. It is important for NRIs to be physically present in India for registering a will in the country. They can also consider attesting the will abroad at the local embassy as per an established process.

How long is a will valid in India?

A will exists in perpetuity and is valid for time-immemorial after the death of the testator and there is no bar on its enforcement. The beneficiary in whose name the will is written gets an indefinite right to get it executed anytime after the death of the testator as the will remains valid for time immemorial.

Does an Indian will need to be registered?

​Are wills mandatory to be registered? No, there is no legal requirement to register a will. It does not even have to be on a stamp paper or notarised.

What documents are required for making a will in India?

Documentation Required
  • Identity proof such as PAN card, Aadhar card, etc of the testator and the witnesses.
  • A mental fitness certificate from a qualified medical professional for the testator.
  • Passport-sized photos of the testator as well as the witnesses.

What happens if a will is not registered in India?

Unregistered wills are regarded as legitimate in India since registration of a will is optional. It is legally suggested to register a will but there is no mandatory requirement for the same.

What happens if no will is made in India?

As per the Hindu Succession Act, 1965, if a person dies intestate, his property would go to Class I heirs. If the Class I heirs do not exist, then the property would be delegated to Class II heirs. However, if both the Class I and Class II heirs are not alive, then the property would be transferred to Agnates.

How much does it cost to make a will with a lawyer in India?

Drafting a Will generally costs around Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 15,000/- by an experienced legal practitioner, a young legal practitioner can draft the same with costs anywhere between Rs. 4,000 to Rs.

How can I make will online in India?

How to make a will? A Will can be made online in 3 simple steps starting with registering yourself on our e-Will platform. Then mention details of your family, properties / assets, liabilities, wishes, property distribution wishes, and finally Will gets delivered online.

What happens if no lawyer will represent you in India?

(1) Where, in a trial before the Court of Session, the accused is not represented by a pleader, and where it appears to the Court that the accused has not sufficient means to engage a pleader, the Court shall assign a pleader for his defence at the expense of the State.

How is property transferred after death without will in India?

In case a male dies intestate, i.e. without making a will, his assets shall be distributed according to the Hindu Succession Act and the property is transferred to the legal heirs of the deceased. The legal heirs are further classified into two classes- class I and class II.

How long does it take to register a will in India?

A Nominal Government registration fee is paid which varies from state to state. The testator should make sure that he must go along with at least two attesting witnesses to the Sub-Registrar office. After the process, the Registered copy of the Will can be collected after 1 week.

Is living will allowed in India?

Issue of 'living wills' in India

Although the 2018 SC order recognises passive euthanasia, the procedure on living wills has been seen as time-consuming. Currently, the law states a living will should be signed in the presence of two attesting witnesses and affirmed by a judicial magistrate.

Can a US citizen inherit property in India?

A Non-Resident Indian or a Foreign national such as UK, US or Canadian citizens can inherit the property in India from anyone including their relatives. The NRI can inherit property in India even from another NRI, subject to certain conditions.

Can NRI inherit property in India?

An NRI can inherit any immovable property in India, be it residential, commercial, agricultural, or a farmhouse (which they are otherwise not entitled to purchase). An NRI is also free to inherit property from another NRI or ROI (Resident of India).

Can NRI sell property in India without coming to India?

Digital India has indeed made our lives easy and this is one of such examples. An NRI can sell property anytime but he or she will need some documents like: Title of the property (which is in the seller's name) Occupation Certificate from the municipal corporation in India.

Can a family member witness a will in India?

However, as per the Indian Succession Act, 1925, a beneficiary under a will cannot be a witness to the same and hence in the facts of your case, the will cannot be attested by your son and daughter-in-law and the same will have to be attested by two or more persons who are not beneficiaries.

What are the different types of wills in India?

Types of Wills in India
  • Privileged Will. Privileged Will is governed under the provision of Section 65 of the Act. ...
  • Unprivileged Will. Unprivileged Will is governed under the provision of Section 63 of the Act. ...
  • Conditional Will. ...
  • Concurrent Will. ...
  • Mutual Will.

Is a will written on white paper valid in India?

A Will even on plain paper is valid provided it is signed / bearing thumb impression of testator and attested by two witnesses in presence of each other.