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M R Prasanna's avatar

Cryptic, yet powerful.

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Kbrmurthy's avatar

Very nice U need to include heresettlement deed as an option

I presume once u do that there is no need for a will for immovable property

I don’t know whether for movables a comparative option is available

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M R Prasanna's avatar

A settlement deed is warranted when a property is in dispute with family members claiming a share. If you want to give your house to your daughter during your life time, you can gift it to her by way of a gift deed which is inexpensive as the stamp duty is around 5K.

If you do want to settle properties for the benefit of grandchildren you can create a trust for which you need sound advice from a lawyer and a CA.

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Pramod Nigam's avatar

Dear Pras, very important & informative post on ‘Will’. I am sure you have opened a pandora’s box & there will be a lot of questions. I have two questions: 1. I have a registered Will but over the years a few asset details have changed. To incorporate that do i have to do a registered codicil? 2. Kindly elaborate what is joint mutual Will. Thanks

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M R Prasanna's avatar

If the changes are material and required to be incorporated, a codicil can be drawn but there's no need to register it unless the original Will was registered.

Husband and wife can execute a joint and Mutual Will whereby if one spouse dies, the surviving spouse inherits the share of the deceased.

It is good to seek specific advice than to rely on general information.

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AMBA PRASAD's avatar

On 'Wills', i recall it was a brand that u once liked !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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M R Prasanna's avatar

Hahaha!! Wills are also at the fag end.

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MRK's avatar

Really interesting topic which I had no knowledge about. In a life which is becoming more and more uncertain so much so that when one leaves their house in the morning there is no guarantee of returning in the evening, this becomes an extremely critical document. There begs a question on what happens if the executor of the will also passes away or is completely indisposed? Maybe this will be covered in the next chapter. Thanks for another enlightening post!

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M R Prasanna's avatar

Indeed it is important that one leaves a Will. The death of the Executor is of no consequence as one of the heirs can execute the will.

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Tarun Kunzru's avatar

"Where there is a will there is a way" and "Where there is no will there is disaarray". Pras, thanks for driving home the point of "Will power".

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Atul's avatar

An excellent summary on the making of a will and its decisive advantages. Same advice provided. I would add only a few things. First, not only can a will be amended by the testator during his lifetime but he can revoke a will at any time during his lifetime, secondly a will does not require a stamp or stamp paper- ordinary paper will do and thirdly an attesting witness cannot be a beneficiary under the will- that invalidates the will.

Excellent summary Pras!!!

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M R Prasanna's avatar

Great value addition. Thanks Atul.

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Lakshmi Raman's avatar

This edition of FC is pretty serious but also informative. And I have you to thank for making my Will.

I didn't know a married couple could make wills together. And you know Prasanna, where there's a will, there's a won't - the 'won't make a will' are in larger numbers as they believe they won't die, only others will die!

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M R Prasanna's avatar

Good morning! Thank you for the meaningful early bird remarks!! Much appreciated.

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