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Is there a tax-friendly method for dividing my mother’s property?

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 15th August, 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.

My father, my sister and I are the sole legal heirs of my mother’s immoveable property situated in Delhi. My father wishes that the said property or realizable value thereof may be shared equally by both the children. What is the suitable, tax-friendly method of achieving this division of property? One simple way could be that my father signs a deed of relinquishment before the mutation of the property. Is there any other alternative method that will be tax efficient and would not entail payment of stamp duty or any other levies?

—Name withheld on requestContinue Reading Is there a tax-friendly method for dividing my mother’s property?

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?

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

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 requestContinue Reading Can children claim rights over property that has been sold?

How is property divided if any of the heirs die after a will is made
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 18th October, 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.

My grandfather left a will in the name of my father in 1996 for one-third share in his property. My father died in 1997 leaving me, my sister and mother behind. My grandfather died in 2008 leaving behind his three children and a wife (my grandmother). As per my knowledge, the will isn’t registered with the sub-registrar. In 2022, the land was divided into five equal shares, with the will not coming into consideration. 

I want to understand whether the will is valid considering that my father died before my grandfather? Can the will leave its content to me, my sister and my mother since we are heirs of my father ? If yes, will my father’s share be considered in the two-third of the land that doesn’t show up in the will?

—Name withheld on requestContinue Reading How is property divided if any of the heirs die after a will is made?

Do FDs accrue interest after owner’s death
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 4th October, 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.

My parents died and I am their nominee in the various fixed deposits (FDs) they left behind. The FDs will mature on different dates in the next two years. Can I withdraw an FD at the time of maturity? What would be rate of interest payable on these deposits from the date of death of parents till the maturity date. Also, is it compulsory for the nominee to withdraw all FDs after the death of the holder?

—Name withheld on requestContinue Reading Do FDs accrue interest after owner’s death?

Can you contest for any changes in a will made by your father
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 3rd August, 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.

My father has in his will made long back stated that his property should be transferred in the name of my elder brother in the unfortunate event of his death. I am married now but as his only daughter, can I contest for changes to be made in the Will and thereby get a share in his property?

—Name withheld on request Continue Reading Can you contest for any changes in a will made by your father?

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?

Can I show my rental income in HUF account
Source: Livemint.com

The following article was first published in the Mint newspaper on 16th May, 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 karta of a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) firm. My coparceners are my wife and son. I am retired and only have rental income from a house inherited from my mother through her probated will. 

Can I show my rental income in my HUF bank account? And, as and when I sell that house, can I show the sale proceeds in the HUF account? For this, do I need to transfer the  house to HUF? If yes, then what is the procedure? Isn’t the property automatically treated as HUF property, as I am also the karta of the HUF? 

What process is required to be followed in case the property is to be bequeathed after the demise of the testator which is as per the registered Will in Delhi after the mutation has been done in the municipal records. It needs to be further clarified whether the process of probate is also to be followed in Delhi or if a succession certificate is sufficient and who would issue the same?

Continue Reading Can I show my rental income in HUF account?