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Intestate

The recent Supreme Court (“SC”) judgment in the case of Arunachala Gounder vs. Ponnuswamy[1] is a significant one since it focusses on whether a sole daughter could inherit her father’s self-acquired property dying intestate, prior to the enactment of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (“Act”). It also delves into the order of succession after the death of the said daughter.

In this blog, we analyse the judgment and its impact on the property rights of Hindu women and widows under the Act.Continue Reading A daughter’s right: Inheritance and devolution of her father’s self-acquired property

In your Will, add a guardian for minor children
Image Source: Livemint.com

The Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas shares their comments and opinions in the  following article which was published by Livemint and the online edition of the same can be found here.

A disturbing trend from the second wave of covid is the increasing number of orphaned and vulnerable minor children across India. While some minors have lost both their parents, others are in a situation where their surviving parent is unable to take care of oneself or the family. Families are often confused and scared about what to do in such scenarios. Parents admitted to certain hospitals are being made to sign declarations about their children’s ‘custody’ if they do not survive.

Continue Reading In your Will, add a guardian for minor children

Examining the gift deed is key prior to any legal challenge
Image Source: Livemint.com

The Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas shares their comments and opinions shared in an article in the  following Q&A which was published by the Mint Newspaper on 14th April, 2021 and the online edition of the same can be found here.

I am 76 and in the process of writing my will. At present, I have a residential apartment in my name, along with my wife and elder daughter. As per my will, can I assign this property to my wife and younger daughter (and not my elder daughter)?

—Name withheld on request
Continue Reading Examining the gift deed is key prior to any legal challenge

Women and Maintenance

Maintenance, as a concept, has its roots in the social justice system of a civilised society. The Supreme Court, explaining the rationale behind providing maintenance in the case of Badshah v. Urmila Badshah Godse and Anr[1], has held that the “provision of maintenance…aims at empowering the destitute and achieving social justice or equality and dignity of the individual. …The law regulates relationships between people. It reflects the values of society.” In India, the right to claim maintenance is statutorily available under both personal and general laws, and such a right cannot be taken away by way of an agreement to the contrary[2]. Maintenance can be awarded during the course of the proceedings (i.e. maintenance pendente lite) or at the conclusion thereof (i.e. permanent maintenance). The right to claim maintenance is available to wives, children and parents. Under certain personal laws, even husbands (who are unable to maintain themselves) are entitled to claim maintenance.  This article discusses the provisions under various personal and general laws that entitle a wife to claim maintenance.
Continue Reading Women and Maintenance

The Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas shares their comments and opinions shared in an article in the  following Q&A which was published by the Mint Newspaper on 26th May, 2020 and the online edition of the same can be found here.

My parents have a flat in a housing society in Gurugram and it’s in their joint names. My father is no more and according to his Will (not registered or probated but notarized and on stamp paper with two witnesses), all his property and wealth went to my mother. Now, she has a Will, dividing all her fixed and movable wealth among her three children. If we need to sell the property after our mother dies, what are the steps we should take for smooth sale? The conveyance deed is original, with the names of both my parents. Since we do not live in Gurugram, we want to avoid running around to different departments. Can you give us the right procedure? Is there any agency that can help us in Gurugram? Will there be any tax liability at the point of sale? Who will need to bear it?

—Anshi Dorairaj

Continue Reading Without a Will, all Class 1 heirs inherit equal share in a property