What happens after probate is granted in India?
Asked by: Mr. Sigurd Spencer MD | Last update: August 10, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (37 votes)
After probate is granted in India, the executor plays a pivotal role in administering the deceased's estate, including identifying and valuing assets, settling outstanding debts, distributing assets to beneficiaries, and fulfilling legal responsibilities.
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.
What happens to an estate after probate?
Once all debts and taxes have been paid, the executor or administrator will distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.
Can a will be challenged after probate in India?
Ans4. Yes, a will can be challenged even after probate is granted, but the process becomes more complex. The person contesting the will must present compelling evidence to invalidate the probate and demonstrate the existence of legal grounds for their claim.
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].
Probate Has Been Granted. What's Next?
How do you transfer ownership of a property after death in India?
If the deceased did not leave a will, the property is transferred according to the laws of intestate succession. In India, this typically involves the legal heirs (spouse, children, etc.) who will have to claim the property through a legal process.
Can executor sell property without all beneficiaries approving in India?
An executor can sell estate property without all the beneficiaries approving. However, there are some important caveats to consider. Their power is not unrestricted.
How long is a will valid after death 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.
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.
Can a beneficiary be an executor of a will in India?
Criteria to Appoint an Executor
The executor appointed may be either a beneficiary to the will or a third person(in case a dispute seems likely). It shall be made known to the executor that he/she shall be liable for any errors or mistakes even if the same has been executed in good faith.
What are the disadvantages of probate?
- Time-Consuming Process. Delays in Asset Distribution: Probate can be time-consuming, causing delays in asset distribution, which may not be ideal for heirs in need of quick access to funds. ...
- High Costs and Fees. ...
- Lack of Privacy. ...
- Potential for Family Conflict.
How do I know when probate is over?
Probate concludes once all creditors are paid, taxes filed, and assets distributed or sold. Once the Executor has successfully completed their duties, a Probate Court judge will issue the Final Order for Discharge of Personal Representative, officially closing the Estate.
Which of the following assets do not go through probate?
First and foremost, there are a number of asset types that typically do not pass through probate. This includes life insurance policies, bank accounts, and investment or retirement accounts that require you to name a beneficiary.
How much does probate cost in India?
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.
What is the longest time probate can take?
The Actual Length of a Probate
If the personal representative and the beneficiary's work well with each other, the assets are not complex, and the estate is not taxable, the probate process could take well under one year. It can otherwise take as long as one year or more.
How does probate work in India?
In India, the process of probate of a will is a legal process that validates and approves the authenticity of a deceased person's WILL. Simply speaking, to prove the Will in the eyes of law. Probate of a Will is a legal procedure through which a court confirms the validity of a will.
How do beneficiaries receive their money?
If you are indeed designated as a beneficiary on the account, the bank will release the contents of the account to you. If you are unsure where the decedent banked, you may consider asking the decedent's family members, the executor/administrator of their estate or the trustee of their trust.
What to do if the executor is ignoring you?
If you have gotten to the point where you feel an executor is failing to uphold their duty to maintain communication, you should contact a probate litigation attorney for support.
Do all heirs have to agree to sell property?
In some cases, the executor can sell the house without getting the sign-off from all the heirs. For example, in California, if the executor can sell the property for at least 90 percent of its appraised value, they may have the authority to move forward with the sale.
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 time limit for property transfer after death in India?
What is the time limit for property transfer after death? According to the Limitation Act of 1963, legal heirs must file a claim for the property within 90 days of the father's death. However, while the claim must be made within 90 days, the settlement and property transfer can extend for long, taking several months.
Can a probate be challenged in India?
The right to challenge a WILL, or grant of probate, comes from the Indian Succession Act, 1925, which confers on persons with an "interest" in the estate of the testator seeking to challenge validity of the WILL and right to file a caveat against the grant of probate.
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.
Can an executor decide who gets what?
To this end, executors are prohibited from altering the deceased's will. When it comes time to distribute assets to named beneficiaries, they may not change, override or ignore the will. Executors of estates are also discouraged from distributing assets to beneficiaries before the estate has been appropriately taxed.
What happens if a property is left in will sold before death?
When a property is sold before death the gift fails. However the beneficiary designation does take place outside of the will and you should only need to present a certified copy of the death certificate and your id to receive the funds.