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Living Will

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 29th March, 2023. The same was written by our Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, who frequently publish their comments and opinions in the Mint. The online version of the article can be found here.

What is a living will? Is it any different from a regular will?

—Name withheld on request

A living will is a written legal document that individuals can execute during their lifetime, whereby they can specify whether they shall or shall not be given medical treatment in the future if they become terminally ill. It does not deal with the disposal of any property, either during one’s lifetime or after death. On the other hand, a last will and testament is a formal, legal declaration of the intention of individuals with respect to their property which they desire to be carried into effect after their death—strict formalities apply to its execution and implementation.

Continue Reading What is a living will and how is it different from a regular will?
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Source: HBO.com

“I’m not saying I’d make a better CEO. That’s unsaid.” – Connor Roy

At the time of publication, we are just a few days away from the release of the final season of HBO’s highly acclaimed family business drama, Succession. For many viewers in India, the show’s portrayal of the perils and tribulations of running a family business hits uncomfortably close to home. Many would say this show is an example of art imitating life. Others may see it as a docudrama about their family business. It is a poignant example of what can happen without a clear succession plan, and it packages together many common issues faced by many Indian family businesses – such as an aging founder who is unwilling to cede control or induct his middle aged children, a failure to modernize (as seen in many older media houses that are going through similar existential dilemmas), siblings squabbling for the CEO role, and a founder family & business enthralled in multiple full-blown crises.

Continue Reading HBO’s Succession: Reel-to-Real life lessons for Indian Family Businesses
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Fund structures are gaining popularity among wealthy individuals in India as optimum structures to help with wealth planning, investments, and tax management. Family offices are viewing GIFT City, India’s first international financial services centre (“IFSC”), for the purpose of facilitating global investments in a structured manner. 

Continue Reading IFSCA Relaxes Rules for Family Investment Funds in GIFT City
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Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 14th February, 2023. The same was written by our Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, who frequently publish their comments and opinions in the Mint. The online version of the article can be found here.

A woman sold her share of the ancestral property in 1960. Can her three children, all of whom were born after the sale, have any claim in the ancestral property?

—Name withheld on request

Continue Reading Can children claim rights over property that has been sold?
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Transferred Property

Introduction

Fifteen years ago, senior citizens (citizens aged 60 years and above), were provided the benefit of statutory protection for certain vital rights under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (Senior Citizens Act). These rights included the right to reclaim property gifted or transferred to children or heirs.

Continue Reading Senior Citizens: Supreme Court clarifies position on reclaiming conditional gift
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HUF Property
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 7th December, 2022. The same was written by our Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, who frequently publish their comments and opinions in the Mint. The online version of the article can be found here.

I want to transfer certain shares from my elder brother’s HUF (Hindu undivided family) account to my individual account as he is more than 75 years old now. I am not a member of his HUF. What is the legal procedure to transfer these stocks?

—Name withheld on request

Continue Reading What is the legal procedure to transfer shares from my brother’s HUF account?

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Untangling the legal heirship certificate conundrum in Tamil Nadu

A legal heirship certificate is an essential document, sought by the legal heirs of a deceased individual for processing intestate succession related application in government offices. The process of applying for and obtaining a legal heirship certificate is by itself an arduous process and is riddled with a plethora of unresolved questions. The most significant of them is the issuance of legal heirship certificate to Class II legal heirs when there are no surviving Class I legal heirs. Continue Reading Untangling the legal heirship certificate conundrum in Tamil Nadu

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Will
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 8th November, 2022. The same was written by our Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, who frequently publish their comments and opinions in the Mint. The online version of the article can be found here.

I had prepared a will in 2019 and got it registered. Now, I need to make some changes to it and include some additional items. Can I get the original will deed modified and get it registered again?

—Name withheld on request

Continue Reading How do I make changes to a will that was registered 3 years ago?

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Should I write a will or form a trust to distribute my assets
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 1st November, 2022. The same was written by our Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, who frequently publish their comments and opinions in the Mint. The online version of the article can be found here.

I am 76 years old and hence want to write a will. I have two houses worth ₹2 crore. We are living in one of the houses and the other is rented for ₹75,000 per month. We also booked a shop having a resale value of ₹1 crore. I have ₹1.6 crore in mutual funds and ₹65 lakh in shares. 

I have a wife and a daughter. I want all my assets to be given to my wife and thereafter to a trust that should decide on monthly distribution  of income from the assets to my daughter and grandson. Thereby, I want to ensure that the assets generate wealth without being misused by anyone. Please guide me on how I should go about setting up a trust.

—Name withheld on request

Continue Reading Should I write a will or form a trust to distribute my assets?