joint power of attorney
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 29th June, 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 the sole owner of a plot of land. Can I write a joint power of attorney to my two sons so as to enable them to sell or register that by mutual agreement and later share the amount?

— Name withheld on requestContinue Reading How do I give a joint power of attorney to my sons to sell land?

gift deed
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 23rd April, 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 have a query regarding a gift deed. My father-in-law wants to gift his flat to my wife vide gift deed, but he stays abroad. Can he execute the gift deed in the Indian embassy over there?

The other option is he has already registered a power of attorney in his son’s name to sell the property, so can his son come to India and execute the gift deed?

– Name withheld on requestContinue Reading Can a gift deed be executed in India on behalf of someone who stays abroad?

relinquishment deed
Source: Livemint.com

The Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas shares their comments and opinions in an article in the  following Q&A which was published by the Mint Newspaper on 17th January, 2022 and the online edition of the same can be found here.

My sister is an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India). Our father passed away recently. He was a resident of India. My sister wants to relinquish her rights to our father’s property in my favor. The property is located in India. Will my sister need to visit India for making the relinquishment deed, or can she do it from abroad?

-S. SinhaContinue Reading Can a relinquishment deed be sent from abroad?

Probate Compulsory for a Will to bequeath property in Mumbai
Source: Livemint.com

The Private Client team at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas shares their comments and opinions in an article in the  following Q&A which was published by the Mint Newspaper on 18th August, 2021 and the online edition of the same can be found here.

I reside in Mumbai with my family in a flat transferred to me as per the Will of my father after his death. Now, I wish to sell this flat. I have two siblings, one in Mumbai and another in Chennai. For selling the flat, is it necessary to get their approval? Do they have to sign the sale deed, as the Will is not probated? My brother in Chennai is unable to move out of his house due to ill health. Is it necessary to get a power of attorney (PoA) from him to sell the flat? If yes, how can it be done? Is it necessary that I must also be present to sign in the PoA? Also, considering the health of my brother, is there a provision to call the registrar home and certify the PoA deed? Please advise.

—Mallika G.

Continue Reading Probate Compulsory for a Will to bequeath property in Mumbai

Covid -19 and succession planning

 Lawyers are generally very conservative – so it may sound a bit alarmist to hear us say “the world is ending!” At the time of writing, India is coming to grips with the terrifying ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (“COVID-19”)’ virus. There is something primal and scary about an airborne threat that can kill you – from something as simple as coming close to an infected person, or touching a door handle, etc. It makes us think about the fragility of life, and the need to protect our loved ones. Some people may believe the steps being taken at present are an overreaction – but are they?

As per the WHO, COVID-19 appears to target the elderly and individuals having underlying illnesses. The WHO mission to China found that 78% of the cases reported as of February 20, 2020 were in individuals between ages 30 and 69. In a matter of barely three months, COVID-19 has infected over 185,000 individuals, resulting in nearly 7,200 deaths, covering 157 countries and territories around the world. The Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan— was among the lone case involving an international vessel. In India, at the time of writing, 110+ individuals tested positive for the virus, with three fatalities. The virus knows no boundaries, gender or net worth, targeting poor and rich alike. Pandemics are an equalizer in society.Continue Reading Estate & Succession Planning during the Coronavirus Pandemic