A final opinion would require examining the exact wording of the will, the nature of your mother's interest (life estate or otherwise), and whether your father was governed by the Hindu Succession Act, the Indian Succession Act, or another personal law. Under Indian law, when a person makes more than one will, the last valid will usually takes precedence and cancels any earlier wills that conflict with it.
Before you decide whether to accept the will, challenge it, or try to negotiate a settlement, gather the following documents and information: the death certificate; copies of all wills your father executed; his medical records related to dementia; and the dates when each will was executed.
A diagnosis of dementia 14 years ago does not automatically invalidate a will. The key question is whether your father had a sound disposing mind when he signed the will. If there are suspicious circumstances, the person presenting the will typically bears the burden of proving the testator was mentally capable at the time of execution.
our father's primary intention appears to be that A receives 1,100 sq. ft., B receives 600 sq. ft., and C receives 400 sq. ft. The sale-and-division provision is described only as a fallback arrangement. The phrase "jointly come to a conclusion" is significant. It suggests that all beneficiaries must reach a common decision, and that a sale is not automatic. Mere disagreement among beneficiaries may therefore prevent the sale clause from being invoked. Accordingly, there is a reasonable argument that the physical division is the primary bequest, and the sale clause applies only if all heirs agree that physical division or enjoyment is impracticable.
You can possibly accept the will and later sell your share, depending on how the property vests after your mother’s death.
If the will gives your mother a life interest and absolute ownership thereafter to A, B, and C, then the beneficiaries’ portions ordinarily vest after your mother’s death. In that situation you may generally transfer, sell, or gift your own share, subject to local building rules, identification of the specific portion, and whether the property has been legally partitioned and separately demarcated.
You cannot be compelled to follow a 40–30–30 split simply because B and C want cash. A strong argument is that the 40–30–30 formula applies only when all children jointly decide that partition is impossible. If you do not agree, that condition may never arise. Moreover, if the ground floor and first floor have independent access, as you mentioned, that fact strengthens the argument that physical enjoyment and separate occupation are feasible.
If you decide to contest the will, the following facts may be legally relevant:
- Prior diagnosis of dementia.
- Active participation of beneficiary C in preparation/execution.
- Unequal distribution.
- Existence of multiple wills.
- Possible dependence of father on particular beneficiaries.
These are not by themselves sufficient to invalidate a will, but courts treat them as potentially suspicious circumstances requiring explanation.