How much does probate cost in India?
Asked by: Aglae Greenfelder | Last update: June 30, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (40 votes)
All this work takes three to 12 months, and court fee is about Rs30 to 40 thousand and legal charges will be Rs30,000 to Rs1. 50 lakh depending upon the advocate and complications involved in your probate work.
How much does it cost to probate a Will in India?
The court may impose a percentage of assets as a fee to issue a probate. In Maharashtra, for example, a court fee of `25 is payable for assets less than `50,000; 4% for assets between `50,000-2 lakh, and 7.5% for assets over `2 lakh. There is a ceiling of `75,000.
How long does probate take in India?
The process takes about 1 year time if all the required documents are produced along with the application. If any one of the legal heirs contests the case, then it might take more time. A petition for probate must be filed in court along with the will in question.
How can I avoid probate in India?
How to Avoid Probate? There are a few ways to avoid probate in India: Hold assets in joint tenancy with right of survivorship: This means that when one joint tenant dies, the surviving joint tenant automatically becomes the owner of the asset.
Is probate mandatory in India?
Under Section 212(2) of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, Hindus, Muslims, etc. are not bound to apply for letters of administration (Probate). It is optional and not mandatory for these persons to seek probate of the Will.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Can property be transferred without probate in India?
Immovable properties cannot be transferred based solely on a Will without obtaining probate. The executor''''s authority to transfer property is contingent upon the grant of probate [Mohamed Salman Noorani VS Radhika Bhargava - Bombay][Nagubai Ammal VS B. Snama Rao - Supreme Court].
Who inherits property if no Will in India?
Distribution Of Assets Under Intestate Succession
Spouses, children, parents, and siblings are typically considered primary beneficiaries, and their shares may vary based on factors such as gender, marital status, and the presence of other legal heirs.
Who is the owner of the property after father death in India?
After the death of your father, if he died without a Will, then the property will devolve amongst all legal heir. So in case your father did not have a Will, you, your mother and other siblings will be legal heir and the house will devolve amongst four. Both the procedure can be done during the lifetime of your mother.
Is probate necessary for a registered Will in India?
A probate is mandatory only if the Will or codicil has been made in any of the three Presidency towns i.e., Kolkata, and the municipal limits of metro cities of Chennai and Mumbai, or, if the immovable property is situated therein. Else, probate is optional.
Which of the following is a commonly used way to avoid probate?
Establish a living trust: This is a common way for people with high-value estates to avoid probate. With a living trust, the person writing the trust decides which assets to put into the trust and who will act as trustee. When the trust owner dies, the trustee will divide the assets outside of probate.
What is the shortest time for probate?
In some cases, the probate process in California can take as little as nine months, but that is rare. It typically takes anywhere from half a year to eighteen months, and complicated cases may take as long as two years or more. However, having an idea of how long a case may take helps you understand the process.
What happens after probate is granted in India?
Gathering and Valuing Assets: Once probate is granted, the Executor begins the process of gathering and valuing the deceased person's assets. This process can take several months, depending on the complexity of the estate.
Is an executor necessary for a will in India?
It is not mandatory to name an executor in the will.
How much does a lawyer charge to write a will in India?
Drafting a Will through a lawyer covers the majority of the monetary costs of making a Will. 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.
Is there a time limit to probate a will in India?
Accordingly, the Court held that the only consistent view was that the right to apply for a probate was a continuing right and the application must be made within three years of the time when the right to apply accrued.
How much requires probate?
A: The minimum value of an estate for probate will vary by state. However, in California, estates valued at more than $166,250 must enter into the probate process. While estates valued at less than that could still be subject to probate, they are able to use a more simplified transfer process of the estate.
Does a notarized Will need to be probated?
A notarized will does not need to be probated. WHY PROBATE A WILL THAT IS NOT NOTARIZED? When a person dies leaving behind a will that is not notarized, the law requires that its validity be ascertained by a notary or by a court.
How do I probate a Will in India?
The application for probate shall be signed and verified by the executor or beneficiary. The petitioner shall furnish a blank stamp paper of value equal to the requisite court fee, along with the application. The court shall grant the probate on the said stamp paper.
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.
Can a US citizen inherit property in India?
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.
What happens if property is not transferred after death in India?
Under Section 30 of the Indian Succession Act, if someone dies intestate, the court may issue a notice to invite claims over the property left behind after the death certificate is issued. In such a situation, each heir receives a portion of the property, or they can decide themselves amicably on the distribution.
How is property divided after father's death in India?
According to the Hindu Succession Act, a Hindu father's property is distributed equally among the Class 1 legal heirs, which include his widow, children and mother. If the mother is not alive, the property will be distributed equally among the children.
Can OCI inherit property in India?
OCI cardholders are allowed to inherit property in India; however, they cannot possess agricultural land and must follow the legal processes for handling and returning inherited funds to their home country.
What happens to bank account when someone dies without a will in India?
In case someone dies, and there's no named beneficiary, POD (payable-on-death), a will, or any legal heir or relatives that will be found, then any assets in that account are going to be turned over to the bank by default.
What is the new inheritance law in India?
The children, both son and daughter, under the Hindu Succession Act 1956, have equal rights over the father's property to be shared with the mother and grandmother. Even a posthumously born child, if born alive, has rights to the father's property.