Dear Sir,
The following information may kindly be read;
Registration of Probate of Wills
Q 1 What is meant by Probate of a Will?
Ans According to Section 2 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, Probate means "the
copy of a Will certified under the seal of a court of competent jurisdiction with a
grant of administration of the estate of the testator". It is nothing but a decree
passed by a competent court declaring the legality/correctness and genuineness
of the Will of the deceased
Q 2 Is it necessary to Probate a Will?
Ans Under Section 219 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, if the deceased has died
intestate and was not a person belonging to any of the classes referred to in
Section 218 (i.e, Hindu, Mohammedan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted
person), those who are connected with him either by marriage or by
consanguinity are entitled to obtain Letters of Administration of his estate and
effects in the order and according to the rules framed in this section.
Under Section 212(2) of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, Hindus, Muslims,
etc. are not bound to apply for letters of administration (Probate). It is optional
and not mandatory for these persons to seek probate of the Will.
Q 3 What are the advantages of a Probated Will?
Ans Probate of a Wisll when granted, establishes the genuineness of Will from the
death of the testator and renders valid all intermediate acts of the Executor as
such.
Q 4 What will be the legal consequences if the Will is not Probated?
Ans If the Will which is required to be probated, under the Act, if not probated, has no
legal sanctity and binding force.
Q 5 What is the time frame within which a Will is to be Probated?
Ans There is no limitation for grant of letters of administration or probate. Where
the estate is in the possession of administrator there is no question of the Probate
Court delivering the possession to him but the probate will be decisive only with
regard to the genuineness of the Will propounded and the right of the executor to
represent the estate.
Q 6 Which is the appropriate Court to file the suit forthe Probate of a Will?
Ans Principal Court of Original Jurisdiction as per the local City Civil Court Act. The
High Court also enjoys concurrent jurisdiction to grant probate of the Will.
Q 7 Who can apply for the Probate of a Will?
Ans According to Section 222 of the Indian Succession Act, 1926, Probate shall be
granted only to an Executor appointed by the Will. The appointment may be
expressed or by necessary implication. In the absence of the Executor being
named in the Will, the Legatees or the Beneficiaries under the Will could also
seek probate of the Will.
Q 8 What are the documents to be submitted for obtaining the Probate?
Ans (a)Original Will of the deceased.
(b) Title Deeds pertaining to the immovable property mentioned in the Will, if
any.
(c)Documents pertaining to the movables, mentioned in the Will, if any.
Q 9 What is the fee payable for a Probate?
Ans Karnataka Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act, 1958, has several parameters for
levy of court fees on probate application and the same is exhaustive.
Q10What is the procedure for obtaining a Probate?
Ans A petition has to be filed before the Principal Court of Original Jurisdiction or
before the Hon'ble High Court under Section 374 of the Indian Succession
Act. The Court in question will issue the court notices at the initial stage and a
paper publication will be caused besides a Gazette publication as well. In case
such a petition is contested, it will be converted into a regular suit and upon
contest the same will be disposed off, by delivering the judgment and decree, in
accordance with law.
