
- March 29, 2023
- News
Everything You Need To Know Before Challenging A Will
After a person’s death, can a will be contested? It’s interesting to note that most wills are approved without opposition. Nonetheless, you have a set amount of time to contest a will. Additionally, it may be completely or partially revoked if you are able to persuade the court of your case. Continue reading to find out how to contest a will and how long you have to do so in India.
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A person’s will or testament is a legal document that stipulates the terms of the legal heirs’ inheritance of property, including the allocation of shares among beneficiaries. Although though it is not required, it is always a good idea to register a will. A will that has been registered under the Indian Registration Act is persuasive evidence in court, but that does not exclude you from contesting the validity of the will. A will can actually be contested on a number of different grounds. A Will may be declared whole or partially null and void in the event that you are successful in demonstrating its falsity in court.
Basic grounds for challenging a will
The following list of frequent grounds to contest a will is explored in further depth.
Testamentary capacity
Only persons who are 18 years of age or older are permitted by law to create a will. Except for those who are married or in the military, minors typically do not have the legal capacity to make a will.
Whenever a person’s Will is challenged in court, it will usually be on the grounds that it was drafted in questionable circumstances. Fundamentally, in order to contest a will on the grounds of mental capacity, you must show that the testator was unable to comprehend the Will’s implications at the time it was written.
Fraud or improper influence
A will may also be contested if it was obtained through forgery, fraud, or coercion. Such cases frequently involve a manipulator who persuades the testator to leave behind all of the property or a larger portion of it for them. When disputing a will on such grounds, you must include sufficient proof in the claim to support your contention.
Lack of enough witnesses
The testator must sign the will in front of at least two witnesses who are at least 18 years old in order to establish its veracity. Those who have been named as witnesses are not allowed to be the property’s legal heirs, under the majority of States’ regulations. While handwritten wills are permitted in half of the States, they must be completely completed & signed by the testator. Some Governments even mandate that these Wills be dated.
Family claims
A will may also be contested on the grounds that it did not appropriately care for a close relative. According to the Hindu Succession Act, the head of a family is required to make sufficient provisions for the sustenance of a number of close relatives who have been named in the Act.
After 12 years, may a will be contested?
A registered Will may only be challenged within 12 years of its preparation, according to the Indian Criminal Code. But, according to legal experts, the burden of proof for a Will’s fault increases the longer it is left unchallenged. The court must be provided the information it needs to understand why the document challenge was delayed.
The court will investigate the claims made by the opposing party and their relationship to the deceased. Additionally, it will investigate the challenger’s behaviour and probe into any changes that have occurred in the case over the intervening period of time. As any beneficiary or member of the deceased’s family can contest a will, the court must do due diligence. So, it must confirm the veracity of the challenge’s justifications.
How can one challenge a will?
In a court of law, you can contest a will in a number of different ways. Which are:
- Act of 1949 Concerning Law Reform (Testamentary Promises)
- The 1976 Property (Relations) Act
- The 1955 Family Protection Act
- By questioning the Will’s legitimacy
You can contest a will in the Family Court or High Court if you are a close relative. A spouse, wife, kid, grandchild, dependent step-child, or parent, if they were dependent on the deceased, have the right to petition the court under the Family Protection Act. If the court determines that the dead did not properly fulfil his or her obligation to support the family members, the claim will be upheld. Under the Property Relationships Act, you can contest a will even if you are not a close family. But you must offer convincing evidence of the promise made by the deceased. It is advisable to contest a will in court as soon as possible to stop it from being executed. If the contestant is successful. The will is deemed invalid.
Can the testator stop someone from challenging the Will?
Testators can get a contractual waiver if they think there might be a future dispute about the written Will. One or more beneficiaries must accept and sign this waiver in order to voluntarily give up their right to contest the will. Professionals frequently talk about why a beneficiary would decide against challenging a will. And they emphasize that it’s a financial bargain that such a waiver puts into effect.
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