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FAQs: Legal Heir Certificate

December 24, 2023

Q. What is the procedure to get a legal heir certificate in Maharashtra? A. One needs to go to the Taluk office, fill out the form provided by them, attach the relevant documents, affix the stamp, and submit the application to the Tehsildar Office. After verification, the legal heir certificate is issued. Q. What is the purpose of a legal heir certificate? A. A legal heir certificate is required so that, in the event of the sudden demise of a person, the legal heir can claim rightful property, assets, and other rights. Q. What is the court fee for a legal heir certificate in Maharashtra? A. For a legal heir certificate in Maharashtra, typically, one needs a ?20 stamp paper and a ?2 stamp. Q. What are the documents required for a legal heir certificate in Tamil Nadu? A. The required documents include Ration card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Identity proof, Death certificate of the deceased, DOB proof, and an affidavit. Q. What is the cost of a legal heir certificate in India? A. The cost of the legal heir certificate is ?20 stamp paper and a ?2 stamp. Q. Can legal heirs claim the property of the deceased? A. Yes.

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Q. Who can issue legal heir certificates in India? A. Legal heir certificates can be issued by the following family members of the deceased. Spouse, Children, Parents. In the absence of immediate legal heirs, it can be issued by Grandparents, Brother, or Sister. Q. What is the validity of a legal heir certificate in India? A. There is no limit to the validity of the legal heir certificate, and it never expires. Q. Who is the legal owner of the property after death? A. The legal heir becomes the owner of the property. Q. Can a legal heir certificate be challenged? A. Yes, one may challenge the certificate if they have an interest in certain property or believe that the certificate has been obtained fraudulently. Q. When can a daughter not claim her father's property? A. If the property is self-acquired and has already been transferred to someone else.

Q. What is the difference between a succession certificate and a legal heir certificate? A. A succession certificate provides only financial and monetary benefits, while a legal heir certificate deals with both monetary and non-monetary issues, such as electricity bills, etc. Q. Can we apply for a legal heir certificate anywhere in India? A. It has to be applied for in the district of the deceased person. Q. What is the difference between a legal heir certificate and a surviving certificate? A. The surviving member certificate and legal heir certificate are the same they provide information about the members of the deceased person who will now be carrying the responsibilities and availing the profits. Q. Can a married daughter claim her father's property? A. Yes, she can claim his self-acquired property. Q. Can a father give all his property to one child? A. He can do this with self-acquired property.

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Q. Who are Class 2 legal heirs? A. Class 2 legal heirs include Father's father father's mother, Father's widow brother's widow, Father's brother father's sister, Mother's father mother's mother, Mother's brother mother's sister, Son's daughter's son son's daughter's daughter brother sister, Daughter's son's son daughter's son's daughter daughter's daughter's son daughter's daughter's daughter. Q. Is the wife a Class 1 heir? A. Yes. Q. Is the mother a Class 1 legal heir? A. Yes. Q. Is a nominee a legal owner? A. No, the nominee only holds the property in trust of the legal owner. Q. Is the daughter a legal heir? A. Yes. Q. Does a nominee require a legal heir certificate? A. Yes, if the nominee wants the rights of a legal heir, he requires the certificate as a nominee is not entitled to gain benefits such as pension or government job, and these rights can be claimed only by a legal heir certificate.

Q.What is a succession certificate? A. A succession certificate is a primary document issued by a civil court to establish the authority of legal heirs over the assets, debts, and security of a person who had died intestate, or without a will.

Q.What is the alternative to a succession certificate? A. A legal heir certificate and death certificate are some alternatives to a succession certificate which are less time-consuming than a succession certificate.

Q.Are family certificates and succession certificates the same?

A. No, family certificates, also known as legal heirship certificates, are different from succession certificates. A family certificate is issued by the Tehsildar to identify the legal heirs of someone who has passed away. On the other hand, a succession certificate confirms the established legal heirs and allows them to access the deceased person's assets by petitioning for it. Q.Can property be sold without succession certificate? A. No, a property cannot be sold without a valid succession certificate. If the property is inherited from a deceased family member, then the succession certificate is used to prove the legal right over the asset/ property to sell it. Q.Why is a succession certificate required? A. A succession certificate is required by the legal heirs to establish their entitlement to the deceased person's assets, which can include bank accounts, securities, debts, and other movable property. It grants heirs the authority to handle transactions involving these assets, such as selling or transferring. Q.What are the rules for a succession certificate? A. A Succession Certificate is issued to only the legal heirs of the deceased by a civil court, situated where the deceased lived or where their property exists. Once issued, this certificate holds authority across India, empowering the holder to collect the assets, debts, and securities of the deceased easily. Q.How do I get a succession certificate? A. You can get a succession certificate by following the steps below:

  1. Prepare a petition, requesting the certificate, and submit it to the district judge, having proper jurisdiction. It must be verified and signed.

  2. The judge will review the petition. After a preliminary hearing, a date will be set for the final hearing, and send the notice to all the parties involved.

  3. All the concerned parties will be heard and the judge will decide whether the applicant shall be granted the certificate.

  4. The judge might ask you to provide a bond with guarantees or other security to cover any potential misuse of the certificate.

Q.What is the difference between heir certificate and succession certificate? A. An heir certificate establishes the legal heirs of a deceased person, whereas a succession certificate is a document issued by a court granting the right to the assets of the deceased to the rightful claimants.

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Q.How much does it cost to get a succession certificate in India? A. The fee for getting a Succession Certificate is 3% of the total value of the concerned property. On the other hand, acquiring a Legal Heir Certificate involves a stamp fee of Rs. 2 along with an additional Rs. 20 for an affidavit stamp paper. Q.Who are legal heirs of father? A.Legal heirs of a father typically include his spouse, children (sons and daughters), and in some cases, parents, depending on the specific family circumstances and applicable laws. Q.Who is the legal heir? A. A legal heir is someone entitled to inherit the assets, properties, or rights of a deceased person according to the law, will, or relevant legal provisions. Q.What is the limitation for applying succession certificate? Q.Can banks deny succession certificates? A. Banks might deny issuing funds or transferring assets without a succession certificate to protect against potential disputes among claimants or legal complications. Q.Can a succession certificate be challenged? A. Yes, a succession certificate can be challenged in a court of law if there are valid grounds for dispute, such as improper issuance or if new evidence arises. Q.Is a succession certificate required if there is a nominee? A. No, assets like bank accounts or insurance policies can be claimed without a Succession Certificate, if there exist a specified nominee.



These guides are not legal advice, nor a substitute for a lawyer
These articles are provided freely as general guides. While we do our best to make sure these guides are helpful, we do not give any guarantee that they are accurate or appropriate to your situation, or take any responsibility for any loss their use might cause you. Do not rely on information provided here without seeking experienced legal advice first. If in doubt, please always consult a lawyer.

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