What is the time limit for challenging a will in India?

Asked by: Annabel Gusikowski DVM  |  Last update: August 12, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (36 votes)

Time Limit: You can contest a Will for up to 12 years in India. However, a delay in initiating the legal process might raise suspicion and potentially weaken your case. Burden of Proof: The burden of proof lies on the person contesting the Will.

What is the limitation period to challenge a will in India?

...that the period for filing suit for limitation to challenge the Will is three years.

On what grounds can a will be challenged in India?

Technically every WILL carries the risk of being challenged in a court of law. WILLs stand to be challenged on the following common grounds: signature taken under coercion or undue influence or under duress to the relatively complex stand of being made under suspicious circumstances.

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.

What is the time limit for execution of a will 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 is the time limit for challenging a will by shalini

34 related questions found

Is there a time limit to claim inheritance in India?

One can claim their rights on the ancestral property till 12 years. The court may, however, accept and handle your request if there is a good foundation to postpone the claim. You must do this within 3 years of the sale period if you wish to initiate a legal lawsuit to prevent the sale of your ancestral property.

How long do you have to execute 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.

Is it a crime to not follow a will?

An executor (or personal representative) has a fiduciary duty to the heirs of an estate. Failing to file a will with the court is not a criminal violation in most states. But the person could be sued by someone harmed by the inaction.

What percentage of contested wills are successful?

Exact figures regarding the success rate of disputes will take much work to quantify. However, most estimates indicate that it is more than 1%. There is an estimate that around 3% of all wills filed in the U.S. face challenges, according to this article from the Nevada Law Journal.

Can beneficiaries demand to see deceased bank statements?

Beneficiaries are entitled to request bank statements from the executor by making an informal written request for them. Some executors may attach bank statements to their accountings for added transparency without beneficiaries having to ask, but it's usually not a requirement for them to do so.

What makes a will null and void in India?

A will is invalid when it has been drawn up by a person incompetent to create it due to the reason of insanity, illness or age. It also ceases to have legal value when it is drawn up using force, fraud or coercion.

Who Cannot be an executor of a will in India?

The executors should be over 18 and of sound mind. A beneficiary in a will can be appointed as an Executor. The executors should be professional, organized, business-like, good with financial matters and willing to dedicate considerable amounts of time to the administration of the estate.

How do you prove a will is forged in India?

Lack of Witnesses: A valid will requires two witnesses under Section 63 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. Their absence or questionable identity is concerning. Tampered Documents: Alterations, erased portions, or mismatched handwriting could signify forgery.

What is the period of limitation in India?

The limitation period is 10, 30, 60, or 90 days or 1, 3, or 12 years. Suits for which there is no prescribed period have a limitation period of three years (Article 113, Limitation Act).

How do you prove undue influence in a will in India?

The High Court held that "undue influence, in order to invalidate a will, must amount to coercion or fraud. Its existence must be established as a fact and it must also appear that it was actually exercised on the testator."

How long does it take to probate a will 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 are the most common grounds for contesting a will?

Here are the most common situations:
  • Lack of Testamentary Capacity. This is a commonly cited reason for contesting a will. ...
  • Undue Influence. ...
  • Fraud. ...
  • Improper Execution. ...
  • The Existence of a More Recent Will.

Does the executor of a will get a percentage?

California has one of the most detailed schemes, which provides that the executor fee is four percent of the first $100,000 of the estate, three percent of the next $100,000, two percent of the next $800,000, one percent on the next $9 million, one-half of one percent on the next $15 million, and a “reasonable amount" ...

Is contesting a will stressful?

Contesting a will can be hard on all parties involved in the legal battle, but there are cases where it is worth it. However, because it can take months to go through the court processes necessary to successfully challenge a will, there are situations where contesting a will would not be in anyone's best interest.

What if someone lies about a will?

Fraud in Will and Trust Execution

For example, if someone forges the signature of the person executing the document, this constitutes fraud. Similarly, if someone misleads the creator and misrepresents the document's contents or intentions when signing it, this is a type of fraud, too.

Who keeps the original copy of a will?

Safekeeping by the Testator. While it's common for the executor to hold the original will, some individuals prefer to keep the original will in a safe place themselves. This can be a safe deposit box, a fireproof safe at home, or with an attorney.

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.

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.

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.

How soon after death is a will read?

A will read can be anywhere from days to decades after the death of a person if the deceased person has appointed an executor. Then that person will be reading the will if it's not opened during their lifetime. The executor would have to open the will in front of two witnesses.