How many years will is valid in India?

Asked by: Ignatius Hill  |  Last update: December 20, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (1 votes)

There is no specific time limit for the validity of a will in India. A will remains valid until it is revoked or until the testator dies. A testator may revoke their will at any time by executing a new will or by making a codicil (a written amendment to a will).

How long is a will valid in India?

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. There is no expiry date in case of Will and no authority can enforce a restriction or limit on the time period of execution of will.

Is a will written in USA valid in India?

Wills made in other jurisdiction are not automatically enforceable in India. Under the Act, an ancillary probate can be granted to authenticate a foreign will.

Is a 20 year old will still valid?

It's good to write a will early — but it's not as good if it isn't updated. People often experience problems in court because of an out-dated will. A will can be 20 years old but still valid.

Can a will be challenged after 12 years in India?

Under the Indian Penal Code, the time limit to challenge a registered Will in India has been set as up to 12 years of its drafting. However, legal experts state that the more time passes before contesting a Will, the higher the burden on the challenger to prove its flaw.

Now No Value of Registered Will 😱🔥| How To Make a Will | How To Prove a Will in Court | Property Law

34 related questions found

What makes a will invalid in India?

Any part of a will that has been forced or induced to be made by force, coercion, or threat or whatever has not been drawn while writing a will with free consent is invalid and not enforceable by law.

What happens if a will is not followed after death?

However, if you feel an executor is not satisfying the requirements of the will, and is actively defying the wishes of the deceased, there are steps you can take to have them removed. A probate court monitors the probate process, which means the probate court can also have an executor removed.

How long are wills valid after death?

If a will is properly executed and created, it does not have an expiration date. The will remains in effect unless you revoke it or something supersedes it, such as a new will.

Can a 90 year old change their will?

An individual has the right to change his or her will, provided there are no concerns with mental capacity. The process becomes more complex after receiving a dementia diagnosis, but it is possible.

Are old wills valid in the US?

The last Will of a deceased person is valid no matter how old it is. But good planning requires periodic review and revision of a Will to reflect changes which occur during the lifetime of the testator, in the nature and size of his estate, and in the provisions of the law controlling the settlement of estates.

Can you inherit property in India if you are a US citizen?

Yes, foreign citizens can inherit property in india. Though they have no right to acquire land meant for farming purposes directly; such people are allowed to do so through inheritance procedures. But then there might be limitations imposed on selling this type of property.

Can an NRI make a will in India?

Yes, but it's best to create separate wills for assets in different countries to avoid jurisdictional conflicts. 3. What if an NRI dies without a will in India? The property is distributed per applicable succession laws, which can lead to lengthy legal proceedings.

What is the inheritance tax in India?

At present, India has no tax on inheritance. Hence, if you are inheriting any property or assets, you will not have to pay any taxes. However, if you are planning to sell off the inherited property, you must make a declaration of inheritance on your tax returns.

Is a US will valid in India?

For the purposes of enforcement of a foreign Will (Will registered abroad) in India, the foreign Will would require to be authenticated by way of obtaining a probate from the concerned court or authority in the relevant foreign country.

How do I prove a will is valid in India?

Proving of 'Will':

Will needs to be attested by two or more witnesses, each of whom must have seen the testator sign or affix his mark to the 'Will' and further, each of the witnesses to the 'Will' should have signed the 'Will' with the requisite animus attestandi.

Is it mandatory to register a will in India?

Is registration of a Will mandatory? No, as per the provisions of Section 18 of the Indian Registration Act, registration of Will document is not mandatory. However, it is advisable.

Can power of attorney change a will?

Someone with your power of attorney cannot change your will, nor can someone write one on your behalf. However, that person can change your assets to shift how your will works in practice, so be certain to speak with your power of attorney about your wishes before making any assignments.

Can my dad change his will if he has dementia?

Creating a will with or without dementia is a similar process. The steps of creating a will do not change, but one must be proven capable if they're showing signs of cognitive impairment. Only the testator can change their will. A power of attorney or family member cannot make changes on their behalf.

Can a family member change a will?

If there is a problem with the wording of a will, it could prevent an intended beneficiary from receiving their intended inheritance. However, a will can be changed through a deed of variation, if there is an issue with the wording in a will. However, as mentioned above, all parties must agree to this change.

Do living wills expire?

So the documents do not expire, but they can become “stale.” To avoid staleness issues, it is not a bad idea to have updated versions of these documents prepared (even if nothing in the documents is changing) every four to five years.

Can I sell my deceased parents' house without probate?

You can only sell before probate when probate isn't required in the first place. As often, whether a deceased person's house can be sold before probate will depend on whether they planned for it or not. If the deceased person placed the property in a living trust during their lifetime, then probate can be avoided.

Does a will become void after death?

What Voids a Will After Death? Once the testator dies, their will cannot be revoked, as only the testator has the authority to revoke a will. If, however, it seems a decedent's will is invalid, you could object to its admission into probate.

Who keeps the original copy of a will?

So, who keeps the original copy of a will? Typically, the original copy is at the deceased person's property, with their executor, or at their attorney's law firm.

Is there a time limit on a will after death?

That being said, it is never a good idea to delay the inevitable. California Probate Code section 8001 specifies that the executor has 30 days after the decedent's date of death and after learning they are the nominated executor to petition the court for administration of the estate.

What not to do when someone dies?

What Not to Do When Someone Dies: 10 Common Mistakes
  1. Not Obtaining Multiple Copies of the Death Certificate.
  2. 2- Delaying Notification of Death.
  3. 3- Not Knowing About a Preplan for Funeral Expenses.
  4. 4- Not Understanding the Crucial Role a Funeral Director Plays.
  5. 5- Letting Others Pressure You Into Bad Decisions.