Without a Will, the Hindu Succession Act, Indian Succession Act, or Muslim Personal Law decides who gets what. With a properly drafted Will, you decide. We've helped 25,000+ families across India and 20+ countries write theirs.
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From a simple online Will to complex NRI estate planning. Pick the service that matches your needs and click through for details.
Signed before a Notary Public. Quick authentication, modest fee, additional evidentiary weight.
View Notarised Will →Filed at Sub-Registrar under Section 42 Registration Act. Strongest evidentiary value, fraud-proof.
View Registered Will →For anyone looking at doorstep convenience. Dedicated estate planning expert, revisions and multiple on-call support, updates.
View Premium Will →Single Will executed by two people, typically spouses, covering jointly and individually held assets.
View Joint Will →Advance Medical Directive under Common Cause 2018 + 2023 SC framework. End-of-life choices.
View Living Will →Cross-border estate planning. Primary and ancillary Wills, FEMA compliance, apostille handling.
View NRI Will →Free 15-minute consultation. Notarised, Registered, Premium, Telephonic, or NRI. We'll recommend based on your case.
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Section 2(h) of the Indian Succession Act 1925 defines a Will as "the legal declaration of the intention of a testator with respect to his property which he desires to be carried into effect after his death."
A Will gives you complete control over what happens to your assets after death. You choose who inherits what, in what proportion, when, and under what conditions. Without a Will, default succession laws take over, and your wishes become irrelevant.
To make a valid Will in India, you must be of sound mind, not a minor, and signing voluntarily. Section 59 of Indian Succession Act sets the testamentary capacity rule. Section 63 ISA requires two independent witnesses present at execution. These are the only two legal essentials. Notarisation and registration are optional but recommended.
A Will isn't only for the wealthy. Anyone with assets, dependents, or specific wishes about who inherits what should have one. Property, bank accounts, investments, businesses, jewellery, sentimental items, even pet care arrangements all belong in a properly drafted Will.
Most Indians put off writing a Will until it's too late. These are the eight trigger moments when getting it done matters most, with the inheritance risk if you delay.
Your spouse becomes a Class I heir under Hindu Succession Act. Without a Will, they share equally with your mother and children. A Will lets you decide the exact split.
You can name a guardian for your minor child in a Will. Without one, the court appoints a guardian, which may not align with your wishes for your child’s upbringing.
The moment you own real estate, a Will becomes essential. Without one, the property splits among legal heirs as per succession laws, often leading to fragmented ownership, disputes, or forced sale to settle shares.
Business interests need succession planning. Without a Will, your equity, ESOPs, or partnership share fragments among legal heirs, causing operational chaos.
NRIs need clear succession for Indian assets. Without a Will, foreign jurisdictions may apply their inheritance laws, creating cross-border complications.
Second marriages need explicit Will provisions. Without them, children from a first marriage and a current spouse may inherit in unintended proportions.
A critical diagnosis shifts the focus to immediate financial security. Without a Will, sudden medical incapacitation or demise can freeze bank accounts, blocking your family's access to urgent funds.
Retirement marks the shift from wealth accumulation to preservation. Without a Will, your hard-earned life savings, gratuity, and provident funds will be divided by statutory laws rather than your wishes.
Get your Will drafted in 7-14 days. Free 15-minute discovery call with a senior expert.
Two of the most common types of Wills recognised under Indian law. Different costs, different evidentiary strength, different formalities. Here's the clearest breakdown for choosing the right one.
| Registered Will | Notarised Will | |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Sub-Registrar (Section 42 Reg Act) | Notary Public |
| Who Can Use | Any adult of sound mind | Any adult of sound mind |
| Witnesses | 2 + Sub-Registrar | 2 + Notary |
| Indicative Cost | Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 (state-varies) | Rs 200 to Rs 2,000 |
| Evidentiary Value | Strongest, presumed authentic | Strong, supports authenticity |
| Fraud Protection | Highest, official copy retained | High, notary maintains record |
| Turnaround | 2-3 days after drafting | 1-2 days after drafting |
| Best For | Property-heavy estates, contestable Wills | Most retail Wills, additional authenticity |
For nearly a century, Section 213 of the Indian Succession Act 1925 made probate mandatory in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and West Bengal for Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain testators. Beneficiaries couldn't establish rights under a Will in court without obtaining probate first.
The Repealing and Amending Act 2025, which received Presidential assent on December 20, 2025, has omitted Section 213 entirely. The compulsory probate requirement is gone. This applies prospectively, so ongoing probate cases continue under the old framework.
This reform is the most significant change to Indian succession law in decades. Our drafts incorporate the current legal position, with clauses that minimise the need for probate while keeping the option available where families prefer the added judicial certainty.
Free 15-minute consultation. Senior experts explain what changed and how it affects your Will.
A Will that omits any of these can be challenged, partially invalidated, or interpreted in ways you never intended. Our experts ensure all ten are present in every draft.
Full name, age, address, religion (relevant for succession law), PAN/Aadhaar. Declaration of sound mind under Section 59 ISA, made voluntarily and without coercion.
Express clause stating this is the last and final Will, revoking all earlier Wills and codicils. Critical to avoid disputes over which Will applies if multiple surface later.
The person who administers the estate. Name a primary executor and an alternate. Choose someone trustworthy, organised, and willing to take on the responsibility.
Detailed list of all assets: properties (with addresses), bank accounts, investments, mutual funds, demat holdings, insurance, jewellery, business interests, intellectual property.
Specific allocation of each asset to named beneficiaries. Percentages must add to 100. Alternate beneficiaries named in case primary beneficiaries pre-decease the testator.
The catch-all. Covers any asset not specifically mentioned in the Will. Without this, undisclosed or later-acquired assets fall under intestate succession by default.
Names a trusted person to take physical and legal custody of any minor children. Without this clause, the court appoints a guardian, which may not match your wishes.
Instructions for paying outstanding debts, loans, and tax liabilities before asset distribution. Specifies whether debts come from specific assets or the residuary estate.
Section 63 ISA requires two independent witnesses present at signing. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or related to beneficiaries. Names, addresses, signatures recorded.
The exact date and place of signing. Critical for establishing the Will's validity, particularly when revocation or amendments via codicil happen later.
Most DIY Wills miss residuary clauses, executor backups, and revocation language. Our drafts cover all of them.
If you die without a Will, your religion determines which law distributes your assets. None of them care about your personal wishes. Here's what each does by default.
"Intestate" means dying without a valid Will. When that happens in India, succession is governed by the personal law that applies to you based on religion. Each of these laws has formulas, classes of heirs, and proportions hard-coded into them. Your preferences, your relationships, your specific wishes are all irrelevant.
For Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains, the Hindu Succession Act 1956 governs. Class I heirs (spouse, children, mother) share equally. If there are no Class I heirs, Class II heirs (father, siblings, grandparents) inherit. Daughters got equal coparcenary rights after the 2005 amendment.
For Indian Christians, Part V of the Indian Succession Act 1925 applies. The widow gets one-third, children share the remaining two-thirds equally. For Parsis, similar but slightly different proportions apply under Part V.
Muslims have their own personal law, distinguishing Sunni (Hanafi) and Shia rules. Bequests by Will are limited to one-third of the estate; the rest passes by Sharia inheritance shares with male heirs typically receiving double the female share.
Applies to Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains. Class I heirs (spouse, children, mother) share equally. Daughters have equal coparcenary rights since 2005 amendment.
Applies to Indian Christians and Parsis. Widow gets one-third, children share two-thirds. Parents have residual rights in certain conditions.
Hanafi and Shia rules. Will can bequeath up to one-third of the estate to non-heirs. Remaining two-thirds passes by Quranic shares, sons get double the daughter's share.
Without a Will, courts decide. Avoid years of paperwork and family disputes.
Registration of a Will is voluntary under Section 42 of the Registration Act 1908. Charges are nominal across states, much lower than property registration. The figures are indicative and may differ by state and over time.
Registration of a Will is not mandatory in India. Section 42 of the Registration Act 1908 provides for voluntary registration, but the choice is entirely yours. Most Wills are valid even without registration, provided they are signed before two witnesses under Section 63 ISA.
That said, registration adds significant evidentiary strength. The Sub-Registrar retains an official copy, the Will is presumed authentic, and disputes about whether it was actually signed or forged become much harder to sustain. For Wills involving high-value property or expected family contention, registration is strongly recommended.
A registered Will is presumed validly executed. A challenger must prove fraud, coercion, or capacity issues, which is far harder than challenging an unregistered Will. Registration is a one-time cost that pays off for the rest of your family's peace of mind.
Registration is done at the Sub-Registrar's office where the testator resides or where the property is located. Both witnesses must appear with the testator. Online registration is not yet available in India. Our team coordinates the appointment, biometric verification, and document handover throughout.
Check here for specific state-wise Will registration charges →
Most Wills are ready in 5 to 7 days. Premium and NRI Wills take 10 to 14 days due to additional consultation rounds. Here's exactly what happens.
Our expert discusses your assets, family structure, beneficiaries, executor preferences, and any specific bequests or conditions you want included. The conversation defines the Will's complexity tier.
Complete asset and liabilities schedule prepared: properties, bank accounts, investments, business interests, insurance policies, personal items, and loans. Each captured with sufficient detail to avoid future ambiguity.
Custom Will drafted, capacity declaration under Section 59 ISA, and revocation of prior Wills. Tailored to your specific situation, family law (Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Parsi), and estate complexity.
Revision rounds with the expert to refine wording, address questions, and ensure the Will reflects your exact intentions. Family discussions often surface additional clauses or beneficiaries.
Doorstep notarisation before a Notary Public for additional authenticity, or registration at the Sub-Registrar under Section 42 Registration Act for the strongest evidentiary value. Wet ink signature mandatory in all cases.
Notarised or Registered Will is delivered at your door-step.
Door-step service. Custom drafting, expert review, notarisation, registration. All handled.
Beyond the legal classifications, our service is organised into tiers based on complexity, asset value, and family structure. Here's what each tier includes and who it suits.
Doorstep service for those with multiple properties, business interests, trusts, foreign assets, or blended families. Dedicated senior expert, one doorstep visit, multiple on-call consultation rounds, custom clauses, succession planning advice, and updates included.
Learn more about Premium Will →A single Will executed by two people, typically spouses, addressing the disposition of jointly and individually held assets. Common for couples with shared property and clear mutual intentions. Section 70 ISA implications apply when one testator survives the other.
Learn more about Joint Will →Wet ink signed before a Notary Public for authenticity, 1-2 day turnaround. Doorstep notarisation available, if required. Suitable for basic level of authenticity.
View Notarised Will →Filed at Sub-Registrar under Section 42 Registration Act, strongest evidentiary value. See the master comparison above for full detail.
View Registered Will →Advance Medical Directive under Common Cause vs Union of India 2018 (modified 2023). Specifies end-of-life medical preferences if you become incapable of expressing them. Not a property distribution Will. Article 21 right to die with dignity.
Learn more about Living Will →Indian Will for NRIs covering Indian and global assets. Primary Will (India) and Ancillary Will (foreign country) strategy. Apostille handling under Hague Convention 1961, FEMA 1999 compliance, time-zone consultations.
Learn more about NRI Will →A complete document set speeds up the drafting. Gather these before our first consultation. If anything's missing, we help retrieve it.
A Living Will, or Advance Medical Directive, lets you record your medical treatment preferences for a time when you can no longer communicate them yourself. It's used when terminal illness or permanent incapacitation removes your ability to make informed medical choices.
India formally recognised Living Wills in Common Cause vs Union of India (2018), a five-judge Constitution Bench ruling that the right to die with dignity is a fundamental right under Article 21. The Supreme Court modified the original procedure in January 2023, removing judicial magistrate involvement and simplifying execution.
Current procedure (post-2023):
A 67-year-old Bangalore resident, post-cancer diagnosis, wanted to avoid prolonged ICU dependence. We drafted his Living Will specifying treatment limits, executed before notary, and shared copies with his oncologist and family. When the time came two years later, his wishes were honoured without family-doctor conflict.
Document your healthcare wishes for situations where you can't speak for yourself. Lawyer-drafted, legally enforceable.
If you're an NRI with assets in India, a foreign country, or both, you face a unique succession planning challenge. Indian Wills cover Indian assets; foreign Wills cover foreign assets. Without careful structuring, conflicts arise between jurisdictions.
The cleanest approach: a Primary Will drafted to Indian legal standards covering Indian assets, and an Ancillary Will in your country of residence covering local assets. Each Will explicitly references the other to avoid revocation conflicts. Foreign Wills that touch Indian assets need apostille under the Hague Convention 1961 (or Embassy attestation for non-Hague countries) before they can be enforced in India.
120-min consultation, foreign-country attestation, registration in your Indian home city. All coordinated.
Most Will disputes trace back to drafting gaps, wrong witnesses, or vague language. Shashi Kumar Banerjee vs Subodh Kumar Banerjee (AIR 1964 SC 529) remains the leading authority on proof of Wills. Here's what we watch for.
"To my children" without naming them, "the property in Mumbai" when you own two, "my jewellery" without specifying items. Vague terms invite competing interpretations and court intervention to resolve them.
The Will lists specific assets but doesn't address what happens to anything not specifically mentioned, including later-acquired assets. The residue falls under intestate succession, defeating the Will's purpose.
Section 61 ISA and case law (H. Venkatachala Iyengar vs B.N. Thimmajamma) treat Wills made under suspicious circumstances with extra scrutiny: beneficiary preparing the Will, sudden execution, departure from earlier expressed wishes.
Section 63 ISA voids any bequest to a witness or witness's spouse. Naming a beneficiary as witness invalidates that specific bequest. Sometimes the entire Will faces scrutiny if witnesses turn out related.
Marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary, acquisition of major assets, or changes in family relationships all require Will updates. An outdated Will causes the same disputes as no Will.
If no executor is named, the court must appoint an administrator, which adds months and costs. If the named executor pre-deceases or refuses, no alternate causes the same problem.
Improper witnessing, vague bequests, missing executors, contradictory clauses. We catch these before signing.
A Will is a living document. Life changes mean Will changes. Section 62 ISA permits alteration, Section 70 ISA governs revocation, and Section 2(b) defines codicil. Here's the practical guide.
A Will should reflect your current life, family, and assets. Outdated Wills cause the same family conflicts as no Will. The Indian Succession Act 1925 explicitly allows you to alter or revoke a Will at any time, as long as you have testamentary capacity.
For small changes, a codicil works. Defined in Section 2(b) ISA as "an instrument made in relation to a Will, and explaining, altering or adding to its dispositions," a codicil is a separate document that modifies specific clauses without rewriting the entire Will. It must be executed with the same formalities as the original Will.
For substantial changes, draft a new Will entirely. The first clause should expressly revoke all prior Wills and codicils. Section 70 ISA also permits revocation by deliberate destruction of the original, or by executing a new Will or codicil expressly revoking the prior one.
We include lifetime updates with every Will drafted. When life changes, we draft the codicil or new Will at no additional charge during the relationship.
Codicils for small changes, fresh Will for major revisions. Free 15-min consultation to decide which fits.
Planning for the future is about so much more than just putting words on paper. We blend our in-depth understanding of Indian succession laws, practical foresight, and the unique dynamics of your family to build something that truly protects them.
What's covered:
Drafting, expert review, notarisation, registration, plus succession checklist. Nothing left for you to chase.
AasaanWill combines technology-driven convenience with legal expertise to deliver thoughtfully drafted Wills and succession planning solutions for modern families.
India's largest dedicated Will writing platform. Our expertise across the spectrum of Wills from simple Wills through complex HNI estates speaks for itself. The volume teaches us what works and what causes disputes.
Every Will is drafted by an empanelled expert who understands succession law, family dynamics, and your specific situation.
Will registration fees and Sub-Registrar processes vary by state. We handle Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and all major Indian states.
Primary Will plus Ancillary Will strategy. Apostille from 20 plus countries. FEMA compliance. DTAA coordination. Time-zone-friendly consultations for NRIs worldwide.
Marriage, divorce, child, property purchase, executor change. We help you update your Will when required.
Our succession planning teams continuously align drafting practices with evolving legal developments and modern family structures.
Lawyer-drafted. Door-step service. 7-14 day turnaround. Free updates for the first year.
4.9 stars on Google. Hundreds of verified reviews from families across India and 20 plus countries. Three stories from real AasaanWill clients.
"First time writing a Will after my son was born. AasaanWill walked me through every clause, suggested a guardian arrangement I hadn’t considered, and registered it in Pune within a week. Peace of mind at last."
"NRI in California with property across Bangalore, Mumbai, and Goa. AasaanWill drafted my Primary Will for Indian assets and coordinated with my US attorney for the Ancillary Will. Apostille, FEMA, everything covered."
"Got married last year and needed to update my Will. AasaanWill drafted a codicil within 3 days, witnessed and registered at the Hyderabad Sub-Registrar. Zero hassle, fair price, professional service."
Plain-English answers to the questions Will writers and beneficiaries ask most often.
The complete process from gathering documents to signing before witnesses, with all current legal requirements after the 2025 probate reform.
ComparisonThe most common Will question in India. Cost, legal weight, fraud protection, and which one suits your specific situation.
Statute GuideClass I and Class II heirs, the 2005 daughter coparcenary amendment, what you can override with a Will, and what you cannot.
Latest ReformWhat changed when Section 213 was omitted by the Repealing and Amending Act 2025. Strategic implications for Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata residents.
Free 15-minute consultation. Get personalised guidance on which plan fits: Notarised, Registered, or Premium.
No. Will registration is voluntary under Section 42 Registration Act 1908. A Will signed before two independent witnesses under Section 63 ISA is legally valid even without registration, though registration adds significant evidentiary value.
15 minutes with a senior estate planning expert. We'll review your situation, recommend the right Will type, and give you a realistic timeline and cost before you commit.
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